The Power of Social Stories to Teach SEL
The Power of Social Stories to Teach SEL in Elementary Classrooms
Picture this: You’re teaching a math lesson, and one of your students crumples up their paper after making a mistake. Their face turns red, and the familiar chorus begins—“I’m so bad at math. I’ll never get this.”
As teachers, we know that these moments aren’t just about math skills. They’re about self-talk, resilience, and the ability to regulate emotions. Enter Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)—and one of the most effective tools for teaching it: social stories.
Let’s dive into what SEL is, what social stories are, how to use them to teach SEL in your classroom, and why they’re so powerful.
I’ll also share two ready-to-use resources I’ve created to help you get started right away.
💙 What is SEL?
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which children (and adults, let’s be honest!) develop the skills to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve goals, show empathy, build relationships, and make responsible decisions.
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) identifies five core SEL competencies:
Self-Awareness – recognizing emotions, thoughts, and values
Self-Management – regulating emotions and behaviors
Social Awareness – showing empathy and understanding of others
Relationship Skills – building healthy relationships and working cooperatively
Responsible Decision-Making – making caring and constructive choices
These skills don’t happen by accident. Like reading, math, or science, they must be explicitly taught and practiced.
📚 What is a Social Story?
Social stories are short, simple narratives that teach children how to navigate social and emotional situations.
A social story typically:
Describes a situation a child may face (like making a mistake, joining a new group, or calming down when upset).
Models appropriate thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Provides language and strategies children can remember and apply in real life.
Think of social stories as a “bridge” between abstract SEL concepts and real-world situations. Instead of just telling a child, “Use positive self-talk,” we show them what that looks like through relatable characters and scenarios.
🥰 Why Use Social Stories for SEL?
Here’s the magic: children learn best when they see themselves in the lesson. Social stories give them a safe, engaging way to explore tricky situations before they happen.
Benefits of social stories for SEL include:
Accessibility: They break down big ideas (like empathy or resilience) into simple, concrete steps.
Engagement: Kids love stories! They’ll lean in to see what happens to the characters, which naturally sparks discussion.
Retention: Stories stick. When children face a challenge later, they’ll remember how a character handles it.
Versatility: Social stories can be read aloud, acted out, illustrated, or revisited whenever your class needs a refresher.
Connection: They create shared language and experiences for your classroom community.
📝 How to Use Social Stories in the Classroom
Here are a few practical ways to make social stories part of your SEL routine:
Introduce with a Mission
Frame the story as a classroom “mission.” For example, “Today, the Everyday Hero Squad has asked us to learn about positive self-talk!” This builds excitement and curiosity.Pre-Reading Discussion
Ask students reflective questions before reading, like “How do you feel when you make a mistake?” or “What do you tell yourself when something is hard?”Read Together
Read aloud to the class, invite volunteers to take turns, or project the story for group reading. Encourage students to notice how the characters feel and what choices they make.Reflection Questions
After reading, use open-ended questions:“What did the character do when they felt frustrated?”
“How did positive self-talk change the situation?”
“What could you try next time you feel the same way?”
Hands-On Follow-Ups
Bring the lesson to life with an activity: coloring positive affirmation posters, role-playing scenarios, or writing letters of encouragement (to themselves or classmates).Revisit Often
Social stories are not one-and-done lessons. Revisit them throughout the year when relevant situations pop up. Think of them as SEL “boosters” you can plug in whenever your class needs a reminder.
💡 Remember: Social stories aren’t just for SEL “lessons.” They can be powerful resets in the middle of the day, conversation starters after recess, or quiet read-alouds when emotions are running high.
You don’t need a fancy curriculum to make SEL meaningful—just a good story and the willingness to pause and connect.
🌟 Powerful SEL Social Stories for You
To make this even easier for you, I’ve created social story resources that are classroom-tested, kid-approved, and ready to use.
1. The Everyday Hero Squad and The Power of Positive Words
This social story helps students learn about positive self-talk and a growth mindset. Max, one of the Everyday Hero Squad members, feels discouraged after a quiz. His friends help him flip his negative thoughts into encouraging ones—and soon the whole school is buzzing with positive words.
The resource includes:
A complete social story
Before/after reading activities
Positive self-talk vs. negative self-talk posters
Affirmation coloring pages
A fun “Me in the Mirror” craftivity
Parent and student letters for reinforcement at home
2. The Everyday Hero Squad: Carnival of Emotions
This engaging story takes students on a colorful adventure through the “Carnival of Emotions,” where they explore rides that represent different feelings—like anger, joy, sadness, and excitement. It’s a fun, approachable way for students to build emotional awareness and learn strategies for coping with big feelings.
The resource includes:
A teacher’s guide
A social story for introducing emotions
Vocabulary support
Pre- and post-reading questions
Activities and coping strategies
Student and parent letters for home-school connection
💌 Final Thoughts:
SEL isn’t a separate subject we squeeze into an already-packed day—it’s the foundation of everything we teach.
Social stories give us an accessible, engaging, and effective way to help children develop the emotional intelligence they need for school and life.
When a student learns to pause, reflect, and choose positive self-talk, that’s not just a classroom victory. That’s a life skill they’ll carry far beyond your classroom walls.
If you’re looking for a fun and practical way to start, the Everyday Hero Squad is here to help. Together, we can empower students to recognize their emotions, speak kindly to themselves, and become everyday heroes in their own lives.
Be well,
Christine
