Importance of social and emotional learning
Social and emotional skills are closely associated with each other. Social skills refer to our ability to relate to others. More specifically, our ability to make friends, manage our needs as well as difficulties, become assertive without showing aggression and share bonds with peers and others. Emotional skills, on the other hand, denote our capability of managing and expressing our feelings in an appropriate manner.
These two skills hold immense importance to the learning process. Children lacking these skills fail to learn effectively. For example, if a child is afraid of his/her school, classroom or teacher, he/she won’t be able to concentrate on study. Likewise, if a child is unable to consider other people and create a bond with them, he/she won’t be able to use what he/she has learned in the real world.
Those kids who always feel good about themselves and others, and who are capable of expressing their emotions well and bonding with others are found to be good learners.
Is it possible to develop social and emotional skills in the classroom?
It is possible to inculcate social and emotional skills into kids in the classroom. The Early Years Learning Framework has put great emphasis on honing up these two skills. The classroom is a good place where relationship skills can be inculcated into kids. Besides, in the classroom setting, kids can be taught how to express their emotions and needs. Further, in the classroom, children can be taught:
- How to manage feelings, especially negative ones
- How to work in a group
- How to show compassion for others
- How to communicate thoughts and so on
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