Why is it important for the school to concern itself with children's

Why is it important for the school to concern itself with children's

social and emotional development? Examine ways in which this could be

attempted.

In light of the current climate and the pressure on schools to improve

standards, it may seem a strange question to ask. However it is such a

fundamental issue that it is not only important but also vital for the

school to concern itself with children's social and emotional

development. This duty is now no longer an option. The aims of the

National Curriculum as set out in the1988 Education Reform Act states

that a school's curriculum should:

"promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical

development of pupils at the school and of society."

(Kyriacou,1995)(p.18)

Before elucidating on this question, it is important to know exactly

what is meant by social and emotional development. Daniel Goldman

defines 'Emotional Intelligence' as an ability firstly to understand

why we behave the way we do and secondly to control those actions that

are inappropriate to the situation. It is also the ability to

empathise and understand the emotions of others (Goldman 1996). Hence,

the ultimate aim in this area with regards to child rearing is for a

well-balanced and centred human being. The majority of people also

generally accept that to have been loved and accepted unconditionally

by just one other human being, as a child is enough for them to grow

to be normal and well balanced adults. It is therefore very clear that

parents have a large influence over this area of development. So, why

should schools concern themselves with the social and emotional

development of children?

Bandura, one of the main exponents of social learning theories argues

that there has been an underestimation of the importance of modelling,

particularly with regards to learning social skills (Fontana, 1988).

Children have a great tendency to imitate the behaviour of others.

This imitation tends to be of people who enjoy status and standing.

This starts with parents first. It then includes outside people such

as teachers who in the majority of cases for children are the first

outside relationship that holds a position of authority. Teachers act

as role models for children. It is not so much what a teacher tells a

child but more the way he/she behaves towards the child that has the

influence.

Bandura held that children learn social behaviour through social

contacts. In particular he made a study of aggression. He showed how

children who were exposed to adult aggression, were more likely to

become aggressive themselves. It was not the fact that these children

were exposed to aggression but the fact that the aggressive behaviour

seemed to be sanctioned by the adults.