Schools Deepen Social-Emotional Learning, Making 'Emotion Check-ins' and Podcasts Part of Campus Routine

Schools are increasingly embedding social-emotional learning (SEL) into the fabric of daily campus life, moving beyond traditional single-period lessons to address the psychological and interpersonal challenges emerging in the AI era. This shift involves innovative approaches like daily "emotion check-ins," where students express their feelings using colors,表情 cards, or simple phrases.

At the National Dong Hwa University Affiliated Experimental Elementary School, Principal Chang Hui-chuan shared how the school uses reading as an entry point for SEL. Curricula are designed across grade levels to cover emotional recognition, understanding others, self-awareness, and responsible decision-making. These are extended into classroom management, school activities, and family learning. The school also fosters a supportive environment for teachers through SEL communities for collaborative lesson planning and utilizes podcasts and parent-teacher meetings to engage parents as educational partners.

Miaoli County Zhunan Junior High School takes an inter-departmental approach, with regular meetings ensuring close collaboration between administration and teaching staff. SEL is integrated into flexible courses such as "Reading Zhunan," "Creative Research," "Aesthetic Zhunan," and "Local International," alongside Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) topics. The school's curriculum design includes stages for emotional activation, relationship building, reflective expression, and outcome evaluation. Teachers also form SEL communities for mutual support, sharing teaching experiences, and exchanging digital tools.

National Luodong Senior High School combines SEL with life education. Campus experiences like class management, service learning, sister school exchanges, and graduation trips are incorporated into a "Campus Life Learning Map." This guides students in reflecting on personal experiences, understanding diverse cultures, and developing awareness, empathy, and expression skills. The school also supports its teachers through SEL communities and book clubs, integrating the "7 Habits" curriculum and digital tools to gradually weave SEL into courses and classroom management.