As educators, we know the importance of providing our students with authentic learning experiences. In terms of social-emotional learning opportunities and activities, our goal is to incorporate these practices into our daily instruction. SEL can be taught as a standalone subject or can be sprinkled throughout all subject areas. Art, music, theater, and dance are all subject areas that naturally lend to teaching key SEL skills. Let’s explore some of the benefits of utilizing the arts to boost SEL instruction!

SEL and the arts are the perfect match!

Incorporating the arts enables students to express themselves creatively and tap into their social and emotional well-being. Through the arts, students will develop strategies for enhancing empathy, promoting positivity, and managing emotions. One of the biggest benefits of teaching SEL skills through the arts is that oftentimes, students are learning without even realizing it. For example, if a student is working on a watercolor painting, they will naturally be calming their mind, using colors that represent emotions, or maybe even creating a painting that represents a significant moment in their life. Some other benefits are:

• Through the arts, we can foster creative expression amongst students. You will be amazed at what your students come up with as they create unique pieces of art, compose their own music, and more!
• The integration of the arts and SEL help to promote an overall positive classroom environment. Sometimes, all it takes is a short brain break or an opportunity for students to complete activities outside of academic rigor. The arts are the perfect addition to creating a classroom culture that will benefit students and teachers alike.
• The arts also help to build social skills amongst students as they learn how to effectively interact with one another. Whether students are working collaboratively to create a skit or simply sharing their artwork with one another, social skills will be enhanced.

Now that we have a deeper understanding of the benefits of incorporating SEL and the arts, we are ready to take a look at some specific activity ideas in the areas of art, music, theater, and dance that you can try with your students.

Visual art activity ideas:

Through art initiatives, students can work on building self-awareness. Whether students are analyzing art or creating their own projects, they are accomplishing SEL skills.

Idea #1: Have students create a collage to represent who they are. They can create a collage on paper, use magazine clippings, drawings, or even print outs. They could also make their collage digitally, using a platform like Google Drawings.

Idea #2: Use colors to identify different emotions. Under each paint splatter, write a word to describe how each color makes you feel. This can be used as a launching point for students to create other pieces of art as well as understanding general color theory!

Music activity ideas:

Music is another tool that promotes calmness, which is so important for emotion management. Similar to art, different types of music will lead to different outcomes and feelings for students.

Idea #1: Use music to identify different emotions. Play different types of music and have students choose words and/or emotions that are associated with each song.

Idea #2: Have students create their own music. This will be a great insight into how students are feeling. This could even develop into having students create their own instruments! Consider using this song maker website to have students create their songs digitally.

Theater activity ideas

Another area of the arts that connects students to one another is theater. Students can enhance social skills through performances or other “act it out” type activities.

Idea #1: Play theater games to engage students and boost social skills. Check out this list of games and activities that can be used for introductory drama activities.

Idea #2: Use skits and made up scenarios to initiate important discussions. Students will build conversation and acting skills as they take on different roles to learn about various personalities and social situations.

Dance activity ideas

Movement is also an essential tool in managing emotions. Whether it is creating your own dances, or practicing yoga and meditation, staying active and getting moving is important.

Idea #1: Have students create a dance. Choose an emotion from a card or simply shout one out and then have students create a dance or movement that corresponds to that emotion.

Idea #2: Consider adding in a writing component.  Have students journal daily or weekly. Then. have them choose their favorite journal entry and create a dance to go along with their writing.

Consider trying out some of these art-based SEL activities to empower your students. Remember that you can have students complete these activities on their own or incorporate them into other subject areas. All it takes is a few minutes each day to develop healthy SEL habits for your students!  Be sure to check out our accompanying OTIS course, Addressing SEL Through Arts Instruction, as well as other courses in the OTIS Course Library to explore other SEL lesson ideas.

For more tips, tricks, and tools for teaching in and out of the classroom, check out more content on the Teq Talk blog or our YouTube channels OTIS for educators and Tequipment.

We also offer virtual professional development, training, and support with OTIS for educators. Explore the technology and strategies that spark student success — no matter where teaching or learning are happening!

Follow us on social:

  edteq             OTIS4educators  |  Teq Products  |  iBlocks           OTIS4educators  |  MyTeq          Teq