RULER
A Systemic Approach to Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) for Grades PreK through 12
RULER is a systemic approach to social and emotional learning (SEL) developed at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. RULER aims to infuse the principles of emotional intelligence into the immune system of PreK to 12 schools, informing how leaders lead, teachers teach, students learn, and families support students.
RULER is an acronym for the five skills of emotional intelligence:
- Recognizing emotions in oneself and others
- Understanding the causes and consequences of emotions
- Labeling emotions with a nuanced vocabulary
- Expressing emotions in accordance with cultural norms and social context
- Regulating emotions with helpful strategies
The development of these five RULER skills relies on four core tools: the Charter, Mood Meter, Meta-Moment, and Blueprint. These skills and tools are introduced to all stakeholders in the school community—school leaders, teachers, staff, students, and families.
Research shows that students and adults who use RULER experience:
- Development of emotion skills
- Improvement in academic performance and classroom climate
- Fewer attention and learning problems
- Greater social and leadership skills
- Less anxiety and depression
- Less stress and burnout
- Better performance in school
The RULER Approach
RULER adoption begins with staff personal and professional learning, and continues with classroom instruction for students, and family engagement and education.
The RULER Institute Online
Attending RULER training is the first step for bringing RULER to a school. The RULER Institute Online equips a small team from each school to lead RULER implementation.