Social emotional development is nurtured by teaching social skills early in life, creating shared social norms, and engaging students in cooperative learning. What helps children engage in learning? According to studies on the social nature of how we acquire knowledge, one answer is clear: Children engage in learning through their cooperative capacity […]
Sociability
Adults have long speculated that technology has a detrimental effect on kids’ social skills. Research has reinforced this speculation, including a UCLA study that conducted an experiment with 51 sixth graders for five days—not a large sample for reliable conclusions. Theories about how children are losing their ability to communicate […]
Sociability
Youth programs abound today, claiming numerous positive outcomes for adolescents. What tweens and teens learn in youth programs can help them develop better social skills, become leaders, gain greater knowledge of themselves, and foster lifelong relationships. But programs vary widely in quality. What makes youth programs effective? How do you […]
Sociability
“Honestly, I sometimes truly wish that ‘tools’ such as the iPhone (or any smartphone), laptops, iPads, tablets, etc. hadn’t been invented. Sure, they’re great, incredibly useful, and fun time-killers. But the way teenagers abuse them, and turn them into mini social control rooms is frankly awful.” At first glance, you […]
Sociability
When families, teachers, and mentors use motivational quotes for kids that focus on healthy peer and adult relationships, they stimulate children to think differently about their social interactions. Sociability is the joyful, cooperative ability to engage with others. It is derived from a collection of social-emotional skills that help youth […]
Sociability
A group of fifteen girls ages 8-11 sit before me. We’re discussing “what does it mean to be assertive” and “why is it sometimes so very difficult to speak up?” Specifically, we talk about school. They watch each other carefully, unsure what to say even within the safety of this […]
Sociability
Do you have green spaces within walking, driving, or public transport distance from your home? If you’re looking for positive ways to feel connected as a family, it’s time to get yourselves and your kids outdoors—into green spaces, parks, beaches, forests, backyards, and neighborhoods! The latest research is compelling about […]
Sociability
What is emotional intelligence? How do parents and teachers nurture it at home and in the classroom? What methods are working? Emotional intelligence (EI for short) has become a popular term since Daniel Goleman authored his book with the same title in 1995. Several decades of research not only confirms the […]
Sociability
Each of us wants our children to develop positive relationships—to experience the power of unconditional love, support, friendship, and encouragement throughout school and life. But we also know that creating and sustaining relationships is hard work—effort that requires a cooperative ability to interact with others. Psychologists call this capacity sociability, […]
Sociability
“Social anxiety disorder,” according to the Child Mind Institute, “is characterized by intense self-consciousness and fear of embarrassment that goes beyond common shyness, causing a child to go to great lengths to avoid social interactions,” In other words, a psychologist might suggest that whether your child has social anxiety or […]
Sociability
Parental relationships can be messy and confusing for kids, even in the best of circumstances. Children learn about intimate relationships from their parents. So it’s not too surprising that negative patterns can be repeated from one generation to the next. What should parents know about their own intimate relationships that […]
Sociability
Healthy child development is often a puzzle to parents and teachers alike. Like many young children, Johnny displayed some challenging behaviors. In kindergarten, he struggled to stay in his seat, and teachers constantly reprimanded him for not complying with simple instructions. At home, his parents often felt confused by his […]
Sociability
