Modern education focuses largely on cognitive skills, and there are claims that it impacts the development of the social self. The current curriculum includes critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration skills, which help students develop better decision-making abilities and confidence and give them a better chance to overcome obstacles during stressful conditions (Sekwena, 2019). But teachers also have to understand how to communicate effectively with their students and provide a positive learning environment where they can learn effectively and build trusting relationships with their teachers.
There are plenty of ways that teachers can help students to develop socially. First, teachers should allow kids to be a part of the decision-making process, where they can express their opinions and learn how to make decisions. Second, they should teach children how to resolve conflicts and disagreements with their classmates respectfully using tools like peer mediation or restorative justice (Haslip & Gullo, 2018). The most important thing is to provide opportunities for students at school to get creative, build relationships, and learn in a meaningful way for them, ultimately helping them become confident young adults that are prepared for success both in school and beyond.
Educators’ primary responsibility is to nurture the creativity and intelligence in every child. They need to create classrooms where children are engaged in a variety of activities at their levels, where they feel valued as learners and as individuals, and where children explore their world in ways that engage their emotions and minds. They also need to move away from standardized testing as an indicator of educational quality (Clark, 2017). Instead, we should focus on measures such as student engagement, critical thinking skills, self-confidence, and motivation. Teachers need to build and maintain relationships with their students through high-quality interactions. The social context of the classroom should promote a sense of belonging and safety, which helps foster positive academic engagement. Creating opportunities for individuals and groups to collaborate can increase motivation, social skills, and learning outcomes.
References
Sekwena, G. L. (2019). A context-based approach to enrich students’ application of abstract economic concepts (Doctoral dissertation, University of the Free State).
Clark, W. G. (2017). Nurturing Democratic Values in the Classroom.
Haslip, M. J., & Gullo, D. F. (2018). The changing landscape of early childhood education: Implications for policy and practice. Early Childhood Education Journal, 46(3), 249-264.