Social-Emotional Supports – A Critical Part of Academic Recovery

Anyone connected in some way to a school would agree that the seismic disruption to our educational systems due to the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in more than just gaps in student learning. Anxiety, uncertainties, lack of social interactions, and upended routines are impacting educators, families, and of course young people of all ages and backgrounds.

But we also see a silver lining. Educators across the country are talking about how much their students are benefiting from programs and practices that build social and emotional skills, help students to regulate their behavior, and provide concrete strategies for coping with stress. Student support professionals report that even teachers and administrators who used to regard these types of programs as “extras” or “fluff” now understand that students need these skills to cope in a time of crisis. When students can resolve conflicts or manage their own emotions more effectively, they are less likely to be disruptive and are more able to focus on schoolwork, even during a time of upheaval such as this year.