How a social-emotional counseling program benefits students

In order for your child to develop into a well-rounded student, it’s important to consider the value of school counseling and the level of access to a social-emotional counselor made available to students on campus. 

According to the International School Counselor Association, school counselors help facilitate the development of critical skills associated with social and emotional learning (SEL). SEL is often associated with “soft skills,” or the important social skills that your child will carry with them throughout their education and career. 

These skills include:

• Self-awareness, to help understand one's own emotions. Children need to learn their own strengths and limitations and increase their self-confidence
• Self-management, to help with stress management, motivation, and agency to set and achieve goals
• Social awareness, to understand and empathize with diverse people
• Relationship skills, to establish and maintain healthy relationships and improve collaboration and communication skills
• Responsible decision-making, to develop an understanding of how their decisions affect those around them

At ISB, we understand the value of SEL regarding your child's development and include a variety of counseling services into our curriculum so your child can benefit the most from this critical aspect of their education. Learn more about the factors to consider when choosing an international school.

Depending on the individual needs of your child, they will have access to classroom lessons, small group sessions, or one-on-one work with a counselor to deliver the support they need.

Here are three benefits of SEL and why your child’s school needs a social-emotional counselor:

Access to counseling support

As much as we strive to create a learning environment where your child has room to grow and thrive, unexpected life events can negatively impact their academic performance.

When your child has access to a school counselor, they have a dedicated support system to help them through any challenge that may arise. 

School counselors are also sometimes the first to become aware of behavioral issues that could impact your child’s academic performance. Studies have found students with access to a school counselor are less likely to be involved in physical aggression on campus. 

Develop interpersonal skills

With 79 percent of employers saying SEL skills are the “most important” qualities for job success, it’s imperative that your child’s school imparts this critical knowledge to your child. 

Some of the interpersonal skills developed by students associated with access to a school counselor include:

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Self-efficacy 
• Initiative 
• Empathy
• Compassion 
• Cultural competency 
• Leadership 
• Bravery 
• Curiosity

These are just a sampling of some of the important life skills your child will develop with the guidance of school counselors. 

At ISB, we understand the importance of developing critical life skills, and having a global perspective at a young age will help your child thrive in the modern workplace. Learn more about how ISB helps students develop a global mindset.

Improved academic performance

One study found that students who had access to a social-emotional counselor saw an 11-point increase in academic achievement compared to a control group. The same study concluded that competency in social-emotional skills in students is “critically important for the long-term success of all students in today’s economy.” 

Another study found that students studying a curriculum that incorporated SEL experienced a 13-percent increase in academic achievement.