Why Perspective-Taking Is Key to SEL (and How to Make It Easier)

Crystal Tomlinson
Mar 18, 2024
2 min read

Updated: Sep 30, 2024

Maybe you are working on an IEP goal with a student.

Maybe you are helping a student problem-solve through a conflict.

Maybe you are teaching an SEL lesson on communication or empathy.

Maybe you are trying to improve communication between you and your team.

Try using interactive activities and gameplay to provide the 🧠 a necessary workout and ample practice time in perspective taking. Some cool things happen when we do! 😎

I just finished up developing and presenting a six week Health SEL series in a middle school and the student feedback was clear. When I brought games and interactive activities, they felt more of an impact and took that info outside of our space.🎉 Especially, when practicing the topic of perspective and conflict.

Cool Stuff Alert 📢

The ❤️ of Perspective

At the heart of perspective-taking lies the super "extra" network of mirror neurons🪞in the brain. They fire when we both perform an action and observe someone else performing it—the foundations for empathy, theory of mind, and social awareness. These types of activities engage the pre-frontal cortex region of the brain allowing us to understand others' feelings and intentions. They also promote cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills - considering multiple viewpoints and alternative solutions.

So...obviously it's important for all of us to have consistent practice with this but to be real...IT'S NOT EASY

Why Is This So Hard?

Cognitive Biases - Humans experience things like egocentrism (viewing the world from only one's perspective) and fundamental attribution error ( relating other's behavior to internal factors rather than situational factors)

Necessary Neural Mechanisms - these mirror neurons🪞need to be working efficiently and not experiencing dysfunction or impairment like in neurodivergent individuals

Requires Navigation - various factors that go into perspective like thoughts, emotions, and actions.

Empathy Requires Regulation - emotional regulation is key to taking other's perspectives into account (everyone is struggling with regulation right now....like seriously that should be another blog topic)

Don't Forget Stamina - attention ,working memory, and executive functioning skills are needed to understand perspectives (why games work well because they can be safer options and allow access to these skills)

What To Do About It

Working in the field of SEL and with tweens and teens for like...EVER, I recommend infusing scenario-type games whenever you can to promote connection and conversation around important topics. I love listening or participating in the deductive and analytical thinking that occurs at their tables or in sessions. (another reason why SEL is not a waste of time) As their pre-frontal cortex further develops, rapidly during adolescents, engaging them in activities that explore options, viewpoints, emotion range, awareness of thought is a MUST.👌🏼 Even the most resistant participant can get something out of this due to relatability and metacognitive focus that goes into just playing the game.