Social and Emotional Learning For young people Ages 11 – 23
How do you know if your program is making a difference in the lives of young people?
In an era increasingly focused on academic outcomes, programs for young people need an alternative — a short-term outcome we can measure that is tied to real long-term goals. Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process of developing the “soft skills” young people need to thrive: to manage themselves as they engage with the world; build and maintain relationships; and treat setbacks and challenges as learning experiences to prompt growth. As they grow, young people with strong SEL skills are more college- and career-ready, experience better mental health and social functioning, and report a greater sense of overall well-being.
What your program does
What Young People Develop
Young People Thriving!
Check-In
- Garner feedback from young people about the quality of program experiences
- A single point in time, midway through a program or at the end
- Check-in surveys take young people 5 to 8 minutes
Pre/Post
- Garner feedback from young people about the quality of program experiences
- Understand young people’s social and emotional learning baseline at pre and growth at post
- Receive targeted recommendations for staff to support each group of young people
- Two points in time, usually at the beginning and end of a program
- Pre surveys take 8 to 12 minutes and post surveys 12 to 15 minutes
Check-In
- Garner feedback from young people about the quality of program experiences
- A single point in time, midway through a program or at the end
- Check-in surveys take young people 5 to 8 minutes
Pre/Post
- Garner feedback from young people about the quality of program experiences
- Understand young people’s social and emotional learning baseline at pre and growth at post
- Receive targeted recommendations for staff to support each group of young people
- Two points in time, usually at the beginning and end of a program
- Pre surveys take 8 to 12 minutes and post surveys 12 to 15 minutes
Experiences
Everything that young people, see, think, hear, do, and feel is fuel for their growth, but a few key types of experiences are especially effective at boosting development.
Outcomes
When young people experience a positive youth development approach and work alongside a caring adult, they develop short-term outcomes that lay the groundwork for their long-term success.
Measures
While growth in SEL is critical, it is also important that young people learn career-specific skills and develop strong social capital.
Thriving
Young people who develop SEL are on a journey to understand and cultivate their unique interests and talents in many aspects of life — they thrive. Thriving goes beyond competence, with success defined as an ongoing trajectory towards full potential in life.