Top Tools and Apps Supporting SEL in Schools: Empowering Student Wellbeing in the Classroom
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) has become an essential component in today’s educational environment. As educators strive to foster not only academic achievement but also emotional resilience and interpersonal skills, integrating the right SEL tools and apps is key. In this article, we delve into the top digital resources supporting SEL in schools, highlighting their benefits, practical use cases, and actionable tips for empowering student wellbeing in the classroom.
What is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Why is it Meaningful?
Social-Emotional Learning refers to the process by which children and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to:
- Understand and manage emotions
- Set and achieve positive goals
- Feel and show empathy for others
- Establish and maintain positive relationships
- Make responsible decisions
Research consistently shows that effective SEL programs improve academic performance, reduce emotional distress, and create more positive school climates. A CASEL study found students in schools with robust SEL programs outperformed peers academically by 11 percentile points.
Top Tools and Apps for Supporting SEL in Schools
There’s a growing array of digital solutions designed to support the implementation and tracking of SEL in classrooms.Below, we review the most impactful tools and apps for educators and students alike:
1. Second Step
- Overview: Second Step is a research-backed SEL curriculum for K-8 students,combining digital lessons,videos,and teacher resources.
- Key Features:
- Age-appropriate activities
- Interactive digital lessons
- Assessment tools for teachers
- Ideal For: Building foundational SEL skills in elementary and middle school students.
2. ClassDojo
- Overview: Widely used for classroom management,ClassDojo also empowers student wellbeing with features that encourage emotional expression and positive behavior.
- Key Features:
- Digital “dojos” for rewarding positive behaviors
- Student portfolios and journals
- In-app mindfulness activities
- Parent-teacher communication tools
- Ideal For: Creating a connected, supportive classroom culture and reinforcing SEL values daily.
3. EVERFI: Compassion Project
- Overview: The Compassion Project from EVERFI is a free digital course designed to foster empathy and compassion in elementary students thru engaging lessons and storytelling.
- Key Features:
- Interactive modules
- Free resources for teachers
- Real-world scenarios to practice empathy
- Ideal For: Schools looking to introduce empathy-focused SEL curriculum with minimal cost.
4. Mood Meter
- Overview: Developed by the Yale center for Emotional Intelligence, Mood Meter is an app that helps students and teachers identify, label, and regulate their emotions throughout the day.
- Key Features:
- Visual emotion mapping
- Daily emotional check-ins
- Personalized emotion strategies
- Ideal For: Building emotional awareness and self-regulation skills in middle and high school settings.
5. Peekapak
- Overview: Peekapak combines interactive stories, SEL lessons, and family engagement activities to encourage emotional growth and literacy.
- Key Features:
- Story-driven SEL curriculum
- Student journals and reflection tools
- home connection resources
- Ideal For: elementary classrooms seeking an engaging, story-based approach to SEL.
6. Stop, Breathe & Think
- Overview: Focused on mindfulness and emotional regulation, this app guides students and teachers through meditations tailored to their current feelings.
- Key Features:
- Emotion check-ins and mindfulness recommendations
- Calming breathing exercises
- Progress tracking
- Ideal For: Implementing mindfulness breaks for stress reduction in all grade levels.
Key Benefits of Using SEL Tools and Apps in Schools
- Increased Engagement: Interactive apps and multimedia content engage digital-native students more effectively.
- Scalable Implementation: Easily reach every student, regardless of class size, with consistent and leveled instruction.
- Real-time Feedback: Many SEL platforms offer instant insights into student progress,enabling personalized support.
- Parent Collaboration: Many tools (such as ClassDojo or Peekapak) offer features to keep families involved in their child’s SEL journey.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Built-in analytics support informed interventions and whole-school strategies for student wellbeing.
Practical Tips for Implementing SEL Technology in Your classroom
Incorporating SEL tools into your daily teaching doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Hear’s how to maximize impact:
- start with a Clear Goal: Decide which SEL competencies (self-awareness, relationship skills, etc.) you want to emphasize and choose apps that align.
- Train and Involve Staff: Provide professional growth for teachers so they feel confident using new digital SEL resources.
- Create Routines: Integrate SEL activities into daily schedules—such as, begin each morning with a Mood Meter check-in.
- Engage Families: Inform parents about SEL tools and encourage use at home, bridging school and home environments.
- Monitor and Adjust: Use the analytics and feedback provided by SEL platforms to refine your approach over time.
First-Hand Experience: How SEL Apps Transformed a Classroom
“As a middle school counselor, integrating Stop, Breathe & Think into our advisory period has been a game changer.Students now understand how to pause and identify how they’re feeling. We’ve seen a noticeable drop in conflict and a rise in classroom participation. Tools like ClassDojo help us celebrate positive behaviors in real time, which reinforces the emotional skills we’re teaching.” — Ms. Parker, School Counselor, Michigan
Case Study: SEL tools in Action
Lincoln Elementary School implemented Peekapak across grades K-5. The school reported:
- 35% reduction in office referrals for disruptive behavior within one semester
- Improved teacher satisfaction scores related to classroom climate
- More frequent and meaningful conversations between students and teachers about emotions and conflict resolution
According to principal Jensen, “Peekapak gave us a shared language. Our students now talk about perseverance, empathy, and self-control not just during SEL lessons, but in everyday interactions.”
Empowering Student Wellbeing: What’s Next?
The future of SEL in education is bright, with more schools adopting technology that supports holistic student development. Here’s what to look out for:
- AI-Powered Personalization: New tools are emerging that use AI to tailor SEL content to individual needs.
- Whole-School Approaches: Platforms are expanding to offer support for staff wellbeing and parent communities, recognizing that student SEL thrives in positive ecosystems.
- Real-World Connections: Apps are increasingly providing scenarios that relate SEL skills to civic obligation and digital citizenship.
Conclusion: The Path to Thriving Students
Integrating effective SEL tools and apps in schools is not just about adopting the latest technology—it’s about empowering every student to achieve their fullest potential academically, emotionally, and socially. These digital resources offer educators powerful means to foster student wellbeing in the classroom, build emotional intelligence, and create nurturing learning environments.
With thoughtful implementation and ongoing reflection, SEL technology can transform the educational experience. Start small, stay consistent, and watch as your students develop the skills to succeed in school—and in life.