Social Skills

Chapter 5 of The Intentional Teacher has some very valuable topics in bordered boxes throughout the chapter. One describes an adult's fundamental role when it comes to emotional development acknowledging and labeling children's emotions. When adults discuss the behavioral indicators of particular types of emotions, children develop the vocabulary to talk about emotions and understand ideas related to the wide array of emotions they experience. Another box gives an example of how teachers can encourage peer modeling and assistance rather than promoting dependence on adult assistance. And three more boxes outline important aspects of functioning as part of a group conflict resolution, child initiated rule setting and democratic decision making.