Emotions are the DNA of human experience. Social relationships play a pivotal role in helping us become fully human. Connectedness is an essential need for our species. So, we tend to assume it comes naturally and, thus, needs not to be taught in schools. It is only recently that policymakers and organisations are paying attention and defining emotions and social skills as essential to a well-rounded education. This is mostly based on growing evidence that socio-emotional skills increase academic outcomes and well-being and employers seek those skills and will pay for them.

There is also enough scientific evidence suggesting that social and emotional skills (SES) can be taught in schools through a combination of approaches. This evidence finds that for better results, especially with at risk children and youth, SES need to be taught explicitly, through a well-designed curriculum with well-sequenced and focused activities... — blog.wb.org/blogs