The Effect of Sustainability Educational Game Activities Supported by the Social-Emotional Learning Program on the Social-Emotional Learning Skills of Young Athletes

This study aimed to assess the effects of various games on social-emotional skills within the context of educational games supported by the social-emotional learning (SEL) program. The study used an experimental pre-test and post-test control group design. While the experimental group consisted of between 14-16 years old 28 players from ü volleyball school in the Ankara Regional Leagues in the 2023-2024 seasons, the control group comprised 27 students studying at the same volleyball school. Neither of the groups selected had ever attended any educational games course. The players in the experimental group received a total of 12 sessions of SEL-based educational games during the study. However, control group players pursued their current educational schedule. It also utilized the Delaware Social-Emotional Competence Scale (DSEC-S) and reflective diary assessment form as the data collection tools. As part of the data analysis methods, the study performed descriptive statistics and One-Way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) derived from the scales and percentile analysis obtained from the reflective daily evaluation form. As a result, the study concluded that 12-week SEL-based educational games were effective in helping young players develop social-emotional skills. Furthermore, the results of SEL-based educational games indicated the success of cultural adaptation.