10 Best Social Emotional Learning Tools for Teachers and Students

‍Introduction: 

The rise of social-emotional learning (SEL) in education has become a significant part of educational institutions. SEL is not just about teaching academic skills but also about helping students develop emotional intelligence, empathy, and better relationships. 

Schools, teachers, and even workplaces are now looking for tools to facilitate this crucial learning in structured and interactive ways. But where do you start? Thankfully, there are numerous tools out there specifically designed to enhance social and emotional learning. 

In this article, we’ll explore the 10 best social-emotional learning tools that can transform your learning environment. With these tools, you can give students the emotional skills they need for lifelong success.

What Are Social Emotional Learning Tools?

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) refers to how individuals, both children and adults, develop essential skills to manage emotions. It helps them set and achieve positive goals while feeling and showing empathy for others. 

The SEL approach also fosters an individual's holistic development by focusing on cognitive learning and emotional and social growth. It can improve classroom behavior and academic performance and reduce issues like bullying. SEL also extends beyond the classroom, helping people build stronger relationships in personal and professional settings.

The best social-emotional learning tools help make this approach an integral part of your educational and business setup. Without further ado, let’s review some of the greatest tools for SEL out there and select the right one for your needs.

10 Best Social Emotional Learning Tools

To help you integrate effective SEL strategies into your program, we’ve rounded up the 10 best social-emotional learning tools available online. From comprehensive platforms to specialized tools, these resources are designed to support emotional growth and interpersonal skills. 

The top SEL tools are: 

1. Coursebox AI

Coursebox AI leads in AI-driven eLearning solutions for teachers, combining advanced technology with a focus on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) development.

Educators, schools, and parents can use the platform to create interactive courses, quizzes, and activities that cultivate emotional intelligence, empathy, and interpersonal skills in learners.

From interactive videos and documents to images and multimedia content, every resource can transform into engaging lessons that promote self-awareness, self-management, and relationship-building skills.

Key Features:

• AI-Driven Personalized Learning Paths: Tailor learning experiences to individual needs, promoting self-awareness and self-management by adapting content to each learner’s emotional and cognitive development.
• Emotion Recognition and Adaptive Feedback: Utilize AI to assess learners’ emotional states through interactions, providing real-time feedback that strengthens social awareness and relationship skills.
• Interactive SEL Modules: Build engaging content encouraging learners to explore and reflect on emotions, enhancing responsible decision-making and empathy.
• Comprehensive Analytics for Progress Monitoring: Track emotional growth and social competencies, helping educators and parents support learners effectively.
• White-Labeling for Customization: Personalize platform appearance to match institutional branding, creating a consistent, supportive learning environment.

Pricing:

• Freemium model available
• Paid plans start at $9/month/billed annually

2. Emotional ABCs

Emotional ABCs is a highly-interactive software designed for kids aged 4 to 11, providing a structured approach to emotional learning. Through interactive lessons, games, and activities, it teaches kids how to recognize, understand, and manage their emotions. It is popular among parents, teachers, and therapists due to its advanced features. 

One of the key features of Emotional ABCs is its step-by-step method, which breaks down complex emotional concepts into easy-to-understand lessons. Each module builds on the last, ensuring kids not only recognize their emotions but also develop strategies to cope with challenging feelings. 

Key Features:

• Kid-friendly, interactive lessons
• Focus on emotional vocabulary
• Progress tracking for teachers and parents
• Easily available in 120 countries

Pricing:

• Free for teachers
• Premium plans are available for schools, parents, and therapists, starting from $17. 

3. Classcraft

Classcraft gamifies the SEL experience, making emotional learning engaging and fun. Its immersive platform allows students to build emotional and social skills through team-based adventures and quests. 

Through quests, challenges, and collaborative activities, students learn how to navigate real-world emotions, build empathy, and improve their relationships. The platform encourages teamwork, where each student plays a role in the success of their group. It promotes collaboration, communication, and mutual support.

Key Features:

• Gamified SEL lessons
• Collaborative learning for teamwork and social skills
• Customizable characters and progress badges

Pricing:

• Free version available
• Premium options for expanded features

4. Peekapak

Peekapak is a storytelling-based SEL tool that encourages empathy, kindness, and emotional understanding. Designed for Pre-K to Grade 12, it features engaging stories and activities that align with CASEL’s SEL framework.

Teachers and educators can use Peekapak’s interactive content to create a more inclusive and supportive classroom environment, helping students apply SEL principles in real-world situations.

Key Features:

• Story-driven SEL curriculum
• Classroom and remote learning modules
• Parental engagement resources
• Print books for more engaged learning 

Pricing:

• The freemium model is available in Peekapak PRO ad Schools & Boards. 

5. Second Step

Second Step offers a research-based SEL program designed for various grade levels, from kindergarten through high school. The curriculum includes lessons on self-regulation, relationship building, and emotional management.

By incorporating these lessons into the daily school routine, Second Step aims to foster a well-rounded, emotionally intelligent student body equipped with the tools to succeed both in and outside the classroom.

Key Features:

• Tiered curriculum for different age groups
• Focus on bullying prevention and emotional regulation
• Classroom kits and digital content
• Available in all 50 states

Pricing:

• Quote available upon request.

6. Empatico

Empatico is a free online platform that connects classrooms around the world to promote cross-cultural understanding. Through real-time video exchanges, students learn about empathy and emotional intelligence by interacting with peers in different countries.

The platform goes beyond just academic learning; it focuses on emotional growth, helping students build key social skills such as active listening, compassion, and understanding of others’ viewpoints.

Key Features:

• Real-time virtual exchanges
• Cross-cultural SEL learning
• Free resources and lesson plans
• Ever-growing activity library 

Pricing:

• Free for all users

7. Rethink Ed

Rethink Ed offers an SEL curriculum integrated with mental health support and behavioral analysis tools. It focuses on creating a well-rounded program that benefits both students and educators, promoting emotional well-being.

The platform goes beyond just academic learning; it focuses on emotional growth, helping students build key social skills such as active listening, compassion, and understanding of others’ viewpoints.

Key Features:

• Curriculum aligned with SEL competencies
• Mental health and behavioral support tools
• Tools for progress tracking and teacher support

Pricing:

• Fill out the Rethink Ed contact form for pricing.

8. Sanford Harmony

Sanford Harmony is a relationship-building program aimed at Pre-K through Grade 6 students. Its main focus is to foster positive peer interactions and reduce relational conflicts through structured SEL lessons.

Their approach to relationship-building and SEL is essential for helping young students grow into socially competent individuals who can navigate relationships, work effectively in teams, and handle challenges with empathy and understanding.

Key Features:

• Age-specific SEL lessons
• Peer-focused relationship-building activities
• Lesson kits and digital resources
• Harmony kits for parents and teachers

Pricing:

• Free for teachers and schools

9. The Zones of Regulation

The Zones of Regulation framework helps students understand and manage their emotions. This self-regulation system uses four color-coded zones to simplify emotional states. It makes identifying feelings and choosing appropriate responses easier for students. This not only supports emotional growth but also fosters a more productive learning environment. 

Key Features:

• Visual, color-coded system for emotional states
• Tools for emotional self-regulation
• Digital and physical resources for schools
• Inclusion of cognitive-behavioral strategies

Pricing:

• Digital resources available for $120 per user
• Groups of 10 or more may qualify for group discounts

10. Smiling Mind

Smiling Mind is a mindfulness-based SEL tool designed for students of all ages. This non-profit app offers guided meditation and mindfulness practices that can help improve emotional regulation and self-awareness in students.

This tool is widely used by educators and parents alike to help students develop essential life skills that improve both their emotional and academic performance.

Key Features:

• Mindfulness exercises and lessons
• Digital platform for teachers and students
• Well-being tracking for schools
• Freedom to build your own wellness routine

Pricing:

• Free access for individuals, families, and schools for over 12 years.

How to Choose the Best SEL Tool for Your Needs

Selecting the right tools for social-emotional learning depends on your audience, goals, and classroom setup. While all of the social-emotional learning tools listed above provide value, certain features may make one option a better fit for you than another.

Below are key factors to consider:

1. Age Appropriateness

Not all social-emotional learning tools for students are designed for the same age group.

• Preschool classroom social-emotional learning tools like Emotional ABCs or Sanford Harmony are ideal for introducing basic emotional vocabulary.
• Elementary and middle school students benefit from structured storytelling tools such as Peekapak or visual systems like The Zones of Regulation.
• High school and older learners may connect more with gamified platforms such as Classcraft or mindfulness-based solutions like Smiling Mind.

2. Ease of Integration

For teachers and administrators, seamless integration with existing systems is key. Look for:

• Compatibility with your learning management system (LMS)
• Tools that support both in-class and remote learning
• Resources that offer printables or parent guides for reinforcement at home

For example, Coursebox AI easily integrates with digital learning environments, while Second Step provides ready-to-use classroom kits.

3. Interactive & Engaging Elements

Students are more likely to stay motivated when SEL activities feel fun and rewarding. Cool tools for social-emotional learning often include:

• Gamification
• Story-driven lessons
• Cross-cultural exchanges
• Tactile tools for social-emotional learning, like color-coded visuals

Interactive SEL resources encourage collaboration, problem-solving, and emotional awareness in real-world contexts.

4. Progress Monitoring & Assessment

Measuring growth is essential for long-term SEL success. Progress monitoring tools for social-emotional learning help teachers and parents:

• Track emotional development over time
• Identify students who need additional support
• Collect data to inform instructional planning

Rethink Ed, for instance, offers analytics and behavioral insights, while Coursebox provides AI-powered assessment and reporting features.

5. Teacher, Parent, and Student Support

The best SEL programs provide resources for everyone involved in a child’s development:

• Social-emotional learning tools for teachers offer lesson plans, classroom activities, and training.
• Social-emotional learning tools for parents provide at-home reinforcement guides, apps, or family-friendly exercises.
• Social-emotional learning tools for students include interactive games, mindfulness apps, or personalized learning paths.

A strong example is Smiling Mind, which is widely used by teachers, students, and parents alike.

6. Budget and Accessibility

Finally, consider pricing and accessibility:

• Many SEL apps (like Smiling Mind and Empatico) are free, making them accessible for families and schools with limited budgets.
• Paid platforms (like Second Step or Coursebox AI) offer more structured curricula, analytics, and broader customization.
• Freemium options (like Peekapak and Classcraft) let you start small and expand later.

Pro Tip for Educators & Parents: If you’re unsure where to start, choose a tool that combines progress monitoring, interactive elements, and teacher/parent resources. This ensures SEL skills are supported across home and school environments.

Make Social Emotional Learning More Effective Today!

The demand for SEL in both schools and workplaces is growing, and for good reason. These tools are designed to build emotional intelligence, strengthen interpersonal relationships, and create a more empathetic, understanding society. 

Whether you're a teacher looking to build emotional awareness in your students or an organization wanting to improve teamwork and empathy, these 10 best social-emotional learning tools are sure to make a difference.

By choosing the right tool and integrating it with your curriculum, you’re setting up learners for success, emotionally and academically. Start with Coursebox AI or explore one of the other amazing options on our list.

FAQs

What is an SEL tool?

A social-emotional learning (SEL) tool is a structured resource, like a curriculum, platform, or app, designed to help develop emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills. SEL tools support components such as self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

Why are digital social-emotional learning tools important?

Digital SEL tools make social-emotional learning scalable, engaging, and data-driven. They enable personalized learning, real-time tracking, and integration with remote or hybrid classrooms, helping schools, teachers, and families support students' emotional growth efficiently.

What are the 5 keys to social-emotional learning?

The five key competencies of SEL, commonly referred to as the CASEL 5, are self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. These interrelated areas serve as the foundation for social-emotional learning across ages and contexts.

What are the 5 social-emotional skills?

Outlined by CASEL and echoed in educational literature, the five core SEL skills are: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making—all essential competencies for navigating emotions, forming relationships, and making ethical choices.

What are the 4 pillars of SEL?

In the original CASEL SEL “wheel,” the four pillars represent the major settings where SEL should be integrated: classrooms, schools, families, and communities. This systemic approach emphasizes equitable support across all environments influencing learners.