Back to School: Helping Students Carry SEL Skills from the Classroom to the Playground

As a new school year begins, teachers everywhere are setting up classrooms, organizing lessons, and preparing for those first weeks of routines and relationship building. Alongside academic readiness, one of the most powerful gifts we can give our students is a strong foundation in social and emotional learning (SEL)…skills that not only help them succeed in the classroom but also on the playground, where many of the day’s most important social lessons unfold.

Why the Playground Matters for SEL

Recess is often seen as a “break” from learning, but in reality, it is a vital extension of the school day. On the playground, students have the freedom to:

• Practice problem-solving and conflict resolution.
• Strengthen empathy and relationship skills.
• Learn how to manage strong emotions in a less structured environment.
• Build resilience through both success and failure in games and social interactions.

In short, recess is where SEL skills are tested, refined, and made real.

Developmental Differences in Emotional Maturity

Not all students arrive at school with the same social and emotional readiness. Emotional maturity develops at different rates, and as educators, we see this play out daily. For example:

•  Primary students (K–2) may need help naming feelings, taking turns, or joining group play.
•  Upper elementary students (3–5) are ready to explore empathy, fairness, and group dynamics but may still struggle with impulse control.
•  Grade 6 students are preparing for adolescence…navigating peer pressure, identity, and leadership opportunities.

Recognizing these differences helps us set realistic expectations and scaffold support so that every child has the chance to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

Practical Strategies for Teachers

1. Build SEL into Morning Check-ins

Start the day with check-ins, feelings charts, or short role-plays. When students practice these skills in the classroom, they are more likely to apply them on the playground.

2. Teach Playground Scenarios Explicitly

Just as we model reading strategies, we can model recess strategies. For example:

• How to invite someone into a game.
• How to handle losing gracefully.
• How to walk away when emotions are high.

3. Encourage Student Leadership

Assign “recess leaders” or “play ambassadors” to help organize games, resolve small conflicts, or include peers who may feel left out. Leadership opportunities allow older students to model maturity for younger ones.

4. Support Emotional Regulation

Create a system where students who feel overwhelmed have a safe way to take a break…a bench, a quiet zone, or even a trusted adult check-in. Emotional maturity grows when students learn how to pause and reset.

5. Connect Classroom Learning to Play

Bridge academics and SEL with activities that highlight cooperation, creativity, and critical thinking. For example, math games on the playground, cooperative problem-solving challenges, or group storytelling in outdoor spaces.

A Fresh Start for Everyone

As you return to school, remember that SEL isn’t confined to the classroom walls. Recess is a natural laboratory for life skills…where lessons about empathy, self-control, inclusion, and resilience come alive. By intentionally linking classroom SEL to playground practice, we help students develop emotional maturity that prepares them not just for school, but for life.

  Want a smoother start to your school day? Try our free Morning Check-In Guide for Teachers, a simple tool with strategies to help students name their feelings, reset for learning, and build classroom community.