The SEL 3 Signature Practices are simple, research-based routines developed by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) to help create welcoming, engaging, and supportive learning environments. Grounded in CASEL's framework for social and emotional learning (SEL), these practices provide an accessible starting point for integrating SEL into classrooms, meetings, professional learning, and community settings.
The three practices—Inclusive Welcome, Engaging Strategies, and Intentional Close—are designed to be woven throughout the day as part of regular planning and facilitation. Together, they create opportunities for participants to build relationships, practice social and emotional skills, engage meaningfully in learning, and reflect on their experiences.
While simple to implement, the SEL 3 Signature Practices can have a powerful impact on fostering belonging, strengthening engagement, and creating equitable environments where everyone feels valued and connected.
An inclusive welcome is culturally and linguistically respectful, builds community, and connects to the work ahead. When planning and facilitating activities, educators are always thinking, "What's my purpose?"
The inclusive welcome is an opportunity to bring that purpose to life. What to a casual observer might appear to be an icebreaker or time-filler can be an intentional, effective educational strategy.
Engaging strategies offer opportunities for participants to more fully grasp content and to connect learning to their own contexts. Build in a balance of interactive and reflective experiences that vary in complexity and style to meet the needs of all participants and your intended outcomes for the time together.
An intentional close highlights an individual and shared understanding of the content and purpose of the engagement, illuminates the intellectual and emotional experience just shared, can provide a sense of accomplishment, and supports forward-thinking.
The closing activity may be reflective of the process or the content, help identify next steps, make connections to one's own work, or show appreciation for one another.
