Knowing who you are is the start of knowing where you’re going.
*CASEL Wheel
At Leiria International School, our mission is to help every learner become the best version of themselves. Through our Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programme, we nurture self-awareness, empathy, and resilience. SEL at LIS isn’t an occasional activity — it’s part of how we learn, lead, and live together every single day.
What is SEL?
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) helps children build the knowledge, attitudes, and skills to manage emotions, make caring choices, and create positive relationships.
At LIS Primary, SEL is the heart of our learning culture — helping learners grow in self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making, as defined by CASEL.
It’s how children learn to recognise their emotions, calm themselves when upset, show empathy to others, cooperate in teams, and make thoughtful choices that respect everyone in our community.
Why SEL is so important?
Children who feel understood and valued are more open to learning and more capable of caring for others.
SEL nurtures confidence, empathy, and resilience — essential for well-being, academic growth, and healthy relationships.
At LIS Primary, we believe that teaching children how to be — kind, curious, and brave — is the foundation for everything else they’ll learn.
How We Implement SEL at LIS?
SEL is woven into every school day — in our lessons, our play, our reflections, and our routines.
Teachers intentionally model empathy, curiosity, and resilience.
Every day, learners participate in a dedicated SEL period — a safe space for honest and meaningful conversations. Together, we talk about real moments from their lives: friendship challenges, managing disappointment, celebrating effort, and learning from mistakes.
Students explore how emotions influence actions and how to respond with care, courage, and respect.
We integrate SEL through:
Morning meetings and circle times that build community and trust.
Mindfulness and reflection moments that help children pause and notice what they feel.
Story-based and inquiry learning, where literature and real-life experiences open paths for empathy and ethical thinking.
Playground and project experiences that strengthen teamwork, problem-solving, and kindness.
“Education that nurtures social and emotional development prepares young people to navigate complexity, build peace, and act with compassion in a changing world.”