Social Skills in the Diversity era – Cultivating social skills, diversity and participation in the classroom

Educators are often called to handle different challenges while working with different types of learners. Some of them can easily build their social relationships; others are very introverted, competitive, or even aggressive. Some have self-control, and some others may have difficulties regulating their emotions. Some tend to be leaders, while others hesitate to express their opinion.

Different aspects influence social development. According to experts, social development correlates with the child’s and adolescent’s environment. Psychologists and social scientists underline that social skills can, and should, be taught. One of the basic roles of education is to cultivate interpersonal skills and to contribute to a participative, democratic society. Aside from that, providing social skills and participation supports students in having better course performances and a more solid self-image. They experience teamwork, learn to manage their emotions, adopt problem-solving strategies, become more empathetic, and learn to manage conflicts.

This course aims to train teachers in helping students acquire social skills. Teaching social skills can be compared to teaching academics. The first step involves knowing where to start. The parents, siblings, teachers, peers, and the child can provide information about social skills that need to be addressed. Direct observation, checklists, social skills scales, functional behavior assessment, identifying solutions to problem scenarios, and reports are useful tools.