53 Great Social-Emotional Writing Prompts

On a daily basis, students deal with a myriad of challenges when it comes to their school and home life.

It takes effort from both parents and teachers to help them navigate these challenges.

Teachers may feel like this is yet another thing to add to their never-ending list of tasks.

However, incorporating social-emotional learning is made easy by using social-emotional writing prompts.

Using these prompts, students will explore various ways of reflecting upon and coping with the issues that they face on a daily basis.

What’s more, these prompts will improve their academics, self-esteem, and attitude toward school plus give them the confidence to tackle unfavorable situations as they arise.

These social-emotional writing prompts help to develop students’ emotional and social intelligence which are essential traits to possess.

The following social-emotional journal prompts fit into one of the following competencies established by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning framework:

  • Self-Awareness – understanding one’s own behavior and emotional strengths
  • Self-Management – regulation of emotions, behaviors, and thoughts
  • Responsible Decision-Making – knowing how to make good, thoughtful choices plus understanding the consequences
  • Relationship Skills – interpersonal maturity
  • Social Awareness – the ability to empathize with others

Social-Emotional Writing Prompts

The following prompts work well as social skills writing prompts too.

1. Describe your unique talents. 

2. Provide examples of what it means to be confident. 

3. Tell the importance of having high self-esteem. 

4. It is important to care what others think? Why or why not?

5. Compose a poem that describes happiness.

6. Share a memory of doing something out of your comfort zone.

7. Write about a time when you made a good decision.

8. Describe some things that you do well.

9. Tell about a time when you felt proud of yourself.

10. How do you work to resolve disagreements with friends?

11. What are your goals for the next six months?

12. Share a memory of reaching a big goal.

13. Tell about your greatest strengths.

14. Why do you think some people say that the journey is just as important as the destination?

15. When you struggle with something, how do you improve?

16. Tell about a time when you felt nervous. How did you manage the situation? 

17. In what ways do you show appreciation to those who are kind to you? 

18. Write about your favorite physical trait.

19. Are you more driven by internal or external motivation? Why?

20. Is it always a good idea to ask for help? Why or why not? 

21. Tell about a time when you learned a new skill.

22. Give yourself five compliments.

23. When are you most happy and why? 

24. How does answering social-emotional writing prompts help you? 

25. Write about a time when you had to be assertive.

26. Tell about a time when you showed leadership.

27. Describe your long-term and short-term goals.

28. Is it fair to judge others? Why or why not? 

29. Discuss an achievement you reached this year. 

30. Tell about a time when you won something. How did it happen? 

social-emotional writing prompts
social-emotional writing prompts

31. In what ways are you an asset to the local community? 

32. Tell why it is sometimes good for our opinions to change. 

33. Describe any positive qualities you have. How do they help you to be successful?

34 .What makes you special?

35. From a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the best), how would you rate your self-esteem? Why?

36. Share a milestone you recently reached. Describe the journey getting there.

37. Provide examples of small actions that have a big impact.

38. Tell about a time when you solved a problem for someone else.

39. Do you always need recognition for your good work? Why or why not? 

40. What type of mindset should one have in order to accomplish goals? 

41. Why is it important to see other people’s points of view?

42. Who has had the biggest influence in your life and how?

43. How are you alike and different from your family?

44. Write about a time when you enjoyed working as part of a group. 

45. What qualities do you share with the person who you admire the most?

46. Describe how it feels to be recognized for a good deed.

47. Share a memory of helping someone who did not expect it.

48. Tell about a time when you overcame an obstacle.

49. How would you describe yourself to someone who doesn’t know you? 

50. Write about how you can make a new student feel welcomed.

51. Why is it essential to have good social skills?

52. Do you consider yourself a good friend? Why or why not?

53. In the past year, what have you learned about yourself?

Final Thoughts On Social-Emotional Writing Prompts

Guide students in coping with the daily challenges they face using these helpful social-emotional writing prompts.

Doing so will make them stronger emotionally, mentally, and academically.