Tunnetaidot

Tunnetaidot is a Finnish term for social-emotional skills, describing abilities that enable individuals to recognize, understand, express, and regulate their emotions, as well as to perceive others' emotions, empathize, communicate effectively, form healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions. In educational contexts, tunnetaidot are treated as core competencies alongside cognitive skills and are commonly linked to social-emotional learning (SEL).

Common components include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness or empathy, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. These skills support students in navigating personal and social challenges, cooperating with others, and engaging in learning with motivation and resilience.

In Finland, tunnetaidot are integrated into the National Core Curriculum for basic education and are addressed through classroom activities, guidance services, restorative practices, and targeted programs for social skills. They are cultivated through everyday interactions, classroom routines, group work, and reflective practices, rather than through isolated lessons alone.

Assessment typically combines teacher observations, student portfolios, self-reflection tasks, and peer feedback; there is usually no single standardized test for tunnetaidot. The approach emphasizes ongoing development and the creation of supportive learning environments.

Research indicates links between well-developed tunnetaidot, well-being, behavior, and academic engagement, though establishing causality remains complex and context-dependent. Challenges include definitional variation, resource constraints, and the need for teacher training to implement SEL approaches effectively.

See also: emotional intelligence; social-emotional learning.