Summary: This article speaks to the importance of SEL skills in dealing with bullying and cyberbullying in schools. In schools where SEL skills are integrated into the curriculum, bullying and cyberbullying is less prevalent. The article also shares a role-playing activity and video that lets students practice decision-making in relation to bullying incidents.
Source: Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey, ascd.org, February 2023
Description: “A 2020 study explored the impact of universal SEL efforts on reducing bullying among nearly 24,000 Delaware students in grades 3 through 12 (Yang et al., 2020). It found that three core SEL competencies—social awareness, relationship skills, and self-management—along with students’ positive perceptions of their school’s climate, were associated with lower levels of bully victimization. In other words, less bullying occurred in schools with a higher degree of SEL. The researchers also emphasized that kindness, the ability to be empathetic, considerate, and to take positive action on behalf of one another—not just friendliness—is a key component of any learning environment.”