General Music Learning Is Also Social and Emotional Learning

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to highlight the relationship between general music and social and emotional learning. Social and emotional learning involves a set of social, emotional, behavioral, and character competencies that are essential to success in school, in the workplace, within relationships, in the community, and in life. Music teachers are uniquely positioned to help students become more socially and emotionally competent while simultaneously developing the skills outlined in the general music curriculum. Many general music program activities reinforce and help students understand the concepts of self-management, self-awareness, responsible decisionmaking, relationship skills, and social awareness. Activities such as improvisation, ensemble playing and singing, and defining emotions with music can be used to develop social and emotional learning skills in the general music classroom. The primary objective of this article is to help general music teachers understand that general music learning environments naturally lend themselves well to aiding in these efforts.