The five core SEL competencies and their natural connections to visual arts. Click any card to explore.
SEL in the Art Classroom. Social-emotional learning is the process through which young people acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions, achieve goals, feel and show empathy, establish supportive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
High-quality SEL instruction is Sequenced, Active, Focused, and Explicit — exactly the qualities of well-planned visual arts instruction.
The SAFE Instruction Principle
Sequenced — building over time
Active — students practice through doing
Focused — intentional SEL emphasis
Explicit — named and targeted skills
Visual arts instruction naturally follows SAFE: observe and imitate (S), experiment with media (A), make creative choices (F), and develop personal artistic voice (E).
