Children’s Perspectives on a School-Based Social and Emotional Learning Program

Abstract

Research has indicated that social and emotional learning (SEL) programs can offer benefits to students and school environments. However, students’ experiences of participation in such programs have not received as much attention. This focus group study describes elementary students’ (N = 23) experiences of and beliefs about participation in a school-based SEL program commonly used in Sweden, Life Skills Training. The results suggest questionable acceptability of the program by the students, indicating a clear belief that the school’s implementation of the program was due to their problematic behavior. Although students experienced the program content as predictable, consistent, and structured, there was great variation in their attitudes toward the program: Both strong negative and positive attitudes were revealed. The students also expressed discomfort with the personal nature of the discussions promoted by the program and uncertainty about its place in the school setting. These findings can inform SEL program implementation.