SEL Competency of the Month | Social Awareness
Social awareness is defined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as, the ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures. In order to demonstrate this aspect of Social Emotional Learning, students need to develop awareness and abilities related to each of the following skills:
Perspective-taking: Perspective-taking involves the ability to look at and understand a situation or concept from an alternate point of view.
Empathy: Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. A common saying associated with empathy is to “put yourself in his/her shoes.”
Appreciating Diversity: Students should learn the value in recognizing that each individual is unique and that differences in race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or belief should be celebrated rather than ignored or argued.
Respect for Others: Respect requires students to view the world with an open mind and to ask questions rather than make judgments. Despite their differences, students are asked to treat each other with kindness and curiosity rather than hatred or prejudice.
