Teaching to Learn Social-Emotional Skills

When it comes to young children, social and emotional learning and skill development is a better predictor of success than cognitive skills such as language and math. As reported by NPR [http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/07/14/330761945/teaching-four-year-olds-to-feel-better], preschool programs that focus on social and emotional competence create enriched learning environments in which children are more likely to focus for longer periods of time on tasks such as signing and reading. It remains unclear, however, whether this translates into later academic gains.

Positive gains were achieved through comprehensive teacher training in positive classroom management. This training, once implemented, resulted in “improving children’s understanding of emotions and their social problem-solving skills and associated social behavior.” http://www.mdrc.org/sites/default/files/HSCares%20Impact_ExecSummary%20MDRC.pdf