Health education is a natural fit for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). HealthSmart addresses the core SEL competencies for curriculum and instruction outlined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL).

• Self-awareness is built as students explore their current health beliefs, values and attitudes, and assess their current health behaviors to identify strengths and challenges. Lessons support a growth mindset by providing numerous opportunities for students to improve their skills through practice, feedback and support.
• Self-management is supported by lessons that help students manage stress, control impulses, and set and achieve health goals.
• Social awareness is enhanced by activities that promote respect and empathy for others, and encourage students to share their perspectives on a variety of health issues and listen to the perspectives of others.
• Relationship skills are strengthened by skill-building activities that focus on clear and effective communication, refusal and negotiation skills, conflict resolution, and getting help for health issues and problems.
• Responsible decision making is reinforced as students learn and practice specific steps and strategies for making safe and healthy decisions across a variety of health content areas.

The Emotional & Mental Health units at Middle and High School cover all of these SEL competencies:

• Middle School Emotional & Mental Health Lessons
• High School Emotional & Mental Health Lessons

SEL skills are also reinforced across the other content areas. See the full list of 276 K–12 lessons aligned with SEL for each grade level.

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Lesson examples from Grades K–5:

• Grade K, Lesson 2: Having Feelings
• Grade 1, Lesson 3: Having Friends
• Grade 2, Lesson 2: How Do We Grow and Change?
• Grade 3, Lesson 5: Valuing Self and Others
• Grade 4, Lesson 5: Self-Control for Troublesome Feelings
• Grade 5, Lesson 1: Being Emotionally Healthy

Read more about how the National Health Education Standards support SEL.