CASEL’s well-known “wheel” is a framework for helping young people learn and practice these skills. It sorts social and emotional skills into five key areas, or competencies:

Self-awareness: Understanding emotions, thoughts, and behaviors—for example, when a student struggles with a difficult math problem and recognizes their frustrations and motivations.

Self-management: Managing our emotions and actions—such as when setting healthy boundaries for social media use.

Social awareness: How we understand others—we use this to express gratitude or demonstrate empathy and compassion for others.

Relationship skills: Building and maintaining connections with others—such as when children make friends or learn who to ask for help.

Responsible decision-making: Making caring and constructive choices—for example, when children work with peers to solve conflicts.