Originally published June 29, 2023
Latest Update October 12, 2026
Written by Laura Bartolomeo
Music teachers naturally infuse so much SEL in the music classroom! Let’s discover the many ways SEL is already infused and integrated into elementary music curriculum, procedures, and processes. We’ll pinpoint what is already naturally occurring and add some new ideas to integrate social and emotional learning into the music classroom.
Teachers often use books/literature with an embedded SEL-themed competency such as self-awareness, self-management, empathy, etc.
But they are doing so much more!
The CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) Framework is a comprehensive approach to promoting social and emotional learning (SEL) in educational settings and includes five competencies.
SEL in the Music Classroom
Self-Awareness in Elementary Music
- The ability to accurately recognize your emotions and thoughts and their influence on behavior.
- The ability to accurately assess your strengths and limitations and possess a well-grounded sense of confidence and optimism.
- This includes confidence, self-efficacy, and a growth mindset.
A Mindful Activity
Body Shapes is all about students taking 3-5 minutes to move their bodies and relax their minds as they experience SEL through global music and movement as a class starter, brain break, or mindful way to transition to the next class or subject.
And now! Body Shapes 2: Genre Jukebox. The same great concept but with music choices from musical genres!
Self-Management in Elementary Music
The ability to effectively regulate your emotions, thoughts,
and behaviors in different situations. This includes
managing stress, controlling impulses, motivating yourself, and setting and working toward achieving personal and academic goals.
Related Activities
Concert Checklist: Organize your concert planning and preparation with checklists and best practices. Here are tips on choosing the music, concert themes, teaching timelines, and logistics.
Concert-Ready Students: You’ll find multiple tips and techniques for learning and memorizing music to prepare your students for a concert including incentives, checklists, and games.
Relationship Skills in Elementary Music
This ability to communicate clearly, listen actively, cooperate, work collaboratively to problem solve and negotiate conflict constructively, navigate settings with differing social and cultural demands and opportunities (cultural competency), provide leadership, and seek or offer help when needed.
Multi-Cultural Resources
Songs and Dances from Authentic Sources: A page that aims to provide resources that I’ve researched or from sources who also research with the same authentic goal.
Social Awareness in Elementary Music
The ability to feel compassion for others, understand broader historical and social norms for behavior in different settings (including unjust ones), and recognize and understand the influence of family, school and community resources and supports.
Related Resources
The Oodles Calendar of Events with lesson plans, resources, and activities. (Hispanic Heritage Month, Native American Month, Veterans Day, Halloween, Black History Month, etc.)
Responsible Decision-Making in Elementary Music
The ability to make choices based on ethics and safety and to consider the benefits and consequences related to personal, social, and collective well-being.
Related Resources
Tips, tricks, and best practices for Routines & Procedures and Essential Agreements.
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