Application of the casel framework in sport and physical education : a narrative review

Abstract

The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) was founded in 1994 to inculcate social and emotional competencies in children and adolescents. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programs based on the CASEL framework are currently being implemented in the school setting. The objective is to facilitate positive youth development through training and instruction. The Sport and Physical Education context is regarded as an avenue for both the athletic development and recreational pursuits, whereas regarding positive youth development it is characterized by fragmentation and the presence of a large number of different approaches. From the perspective of a researcher or practitioner, it becomes difficult to gauge the stage of development of an individual and the best practices for holistic positive youth development. The narrative review has been undertaken with a view to synthesizing available literature in order to form a comprehensive picture of the current scenario. A detailed and extensive literature search was carried out in two phases. In the first phase, an attempt was made to identify the nature of constructs existing across domains and the assessment measures corresponding to each. In the second phase of the search, there was increased emphasis on identifying the applications of Social and Emotional Learning programs in Sport and Physical Education. Given the fragmented nature of Sport and Physical Education, it is evident that the CASEL framework can provide a basis for integration and consolidation. The organization (CASEL) also stands to gain from the extension of SEL programs into the after-school setting, as this can provide ideal conditions for development.