This open access volume critically reviews a diverse body of scholarship and practice that informs the conceptualization, curriculum, teaching and measurement of life skills in education settings around the world. It discusses life skills as they are implemented in schools and non-formal education, providing both qualitative and quantitative evidence of when, with whom, and how life skills do or do not impact young women’s and men’s lives in various contexts. Specifically, it examines the nature and importance of life skills, and how they are taught. It looks at the synergies and differences between life skills educational programmes and the way in which they promote social and emotional learning, vocational/employment education, and health and sexuality education. Finally, it explores how life skills may be better incorporated into education and how such education can address structures and relations of power to help youth achieve desired future outcomes, and goals set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Life skills education has gained considerable attention by education policymakers, researchers and educators as being the sine qua non for later achievements in life. It is nearly ubiquitous in global and national education policies, including the SDGs, because life skills are regarded as essential for a diverse set of purposes: reducing poverty, achieving gender equality, promoting economic growth, addressing climate change, fostering peace and global citizenship, and creating sustainable and healthy communities. Yet, to achieve these broad goals, questions persist as to which life skills are important, who needs to learn them, how they can be taught, and how they are best measured. This book addresses these questions.

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened awareness of the need for social emotional learning throughout all educational contexts. Given this, schools, most often P-12 settings, have begun to embrace practices for addressing social emotional learning. While there is a growing body of research and literature on common practices of social emotional learning, there is no standard for its implementation. Exploring Social Emotional Learning in Diverse Academic Settings highlights unique and varied approaches to addressing social emotional learning and wellbeing in educational settings. It features a broad perspective on the topic, presenting approaches from a range of educational locations and contexts. Covering topics such as personal empowerment, academic challenges, and teacher stress, this premier reference source is an excellent resource for administrators and educators of both P-12 and higher education, school counselors, government officials, pre-service teachers, teacher educators, librarians, researchers, and academicians.

The burgeoning multidisciplinary field of social and emotional learning (SEL) now has a comprehensive and definitive handbook covering all aspects of research, practice, and policy. The prominent editors and contributors describe state-of-the-art intervention and prevention programs designed to build students' skills for managing emotions, showing concern for others, making responsible decisions, and forming positive relationships. Conceptual and scientific underpinnings of SEL are explored and its relationship to children's and adolescents' academic success and mental health examined. Issues in implementing and assessing SEL programs in diverse educational settings are analyzed in depth, including the roles of school- and district-level leadership, teacher training, and school-family partnerships.

If there's one thing teachers can agree on, it's that social and emotional learning is a hot topic in education. But beyond this, questions still remain. Many educators find themselves wondering, what exactly is SEL? How should it be taught? What does it look like in the classroom? And, is it our job as educators to teach students non-academic life skills? Based on author Dr. Amy Cranston's experiences with implementing SEL from a practical standpoint, this book defines SEL and digs into the real work of how to incorporate SEL in K-12 schools. It makes the connection between research and practical application and the real-life examples and testimonials of SEL in the classroom will help educators effectively implement SEL programming. Featured case studies demonstrate real-world applications of SEL in different types of K-12 learning environments. It addresses students' different interests and varied learning styles and features Mindful Moments that encourage understanding, learning, and reflection. By supporting the emotional needs of students, educators will not only address issues such as discipline problems and absenteeism, but will help their students to be more mindful and self-aware. By encouraging spaces where intrapersonal and interpersonal skills are celebrated and cultivated, educators will set the foundation for all students to succeed.

"The objective of this publication is to develop a conceptual framework around pedagogical connections to social and emotional teaching and learning within K-12 literacy practices. through a variety of research and practice protocols supporting student success through the integration of social-emotional learning (SEL) and literacy across grade levels"--

The authors draw upon scientific studies, theories, site visits, nd their own extensive experiences to describe approaches to social and emotional learning for all levels.

Transformative leadership emerges as the beacon guiding P-12 schools and higher education institutions through the intricacies of necessary change. Leaders must confront the perennial challenges faced by educational institutions head-on, equipped with an array of innovative strategies and a commitment to fostering equitable practices, from addressing inclusion, diversity, and belonging to navigating the complex terrain of school change. In Transformative Leadership and Change Initiative Implementation for P-12 and Higher Education, the echoes of Heraclitus's wisdom reverberate, reminding educational leaders that the only constant is change. This book delves into the core of transformative strategies employed by thought leaders across the educational spectrum, from P-12 schools to university corridors. Guided by transformative leadership principles, this book traverses the intricate tapestry of topics such as technology integration, educational entrepreneurship, and global citizenship, providing a roadmap for leaders to navigate the complexities of the modern educational landscape. The emphasis on social-emotional leadership and learning underscores the importance of nurturing the holistic development of students, ensuring they thrive both academically and emotionally.