About the Intervention
Social-Emotional Learning Foundations (SELF) is a Tier 2 curriculum with a universal component designed for kindergarten and first grade students at risk for emotional and behavioral difficulties. SELF integrates social-emotional learning with literacy instruction to strengthen language related to SEL and self-regulation. The curriculum uses small-group lessons taught within the general education setting, organized around 52 kindergarten and 54 first grade lessons using 16 children's storybooks that address SEL topics within five critical competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship management, and responsible decision-making. Each topic consists of three lessons: first, the teacher reads a storybook to the whole class; second, the teacher teaches a small-group lesson using dialogic reading to promote discussion; third, students apply concepts in problem-solving situations within small groups. Teachers received two 6-hour days of professional development before implementation, covering conceptual foundations of SEL, instructional features, and pedagogical knowledge including dialogic reading and vocabulary instruction.
Statistical Findings
Positive effect: on social-emotional vocabulary (definition)
Positive effect: on social-emotional vocabulary (contextual use)
Positive effect: on social-emotional vocabulary (application)
Positive effect: on social-emotional vocabulary (total)
No effect: on self-regulation (HTKS)
Positive effect: on behavior regulation
Positive effect: on cognitive regulation
Positive effect: on emotion regulation
Positive effect: on competence
Positive effect: on externalizing behavior
Positive effect: on internalizing behavior
Positive effect: on social skills
Positive effect: on decision making
Positive effect: on relationship skills
Positive effect: on self-awareness
Positive effect: on self-management
Positive effect: on social awareness
Positive effect: on SEL knowledge
More Intervention Details
Focus Areas
Those with Disabilities, Economically Disadvantaged, Social-Emotional LearningPrograms & Services
General Education, Special Education Services, Targeted Intervention ProgramDelivery Methods
Face-to-FaceDisability Support
Emotional DisturbanceTarget Groups
Student(s), Teachers/Instructional TeamsCitation
Algina, J., Boss, D., Corbett, N. L., Crews, E., Daunic, A. P., Poling, D., Smith, S. W., Vezzoli, J. & Worth, M. (2021). Efficacy of the social-emotional learning foundations curriculum for kindergarten and first grade students at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders (ED619756). ERIC. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2021.03.004.
Study Demographics
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Participant Gender
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Other Participant Characteristics
Geographical Setting
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