The early grades are an important period for seeding socialization and social development, where educators can integrate lessons and activities that can support both academic and social growth.
Maurice Elias, professor of psychology at Rutgers University and director of the Rutgers Social-Emotional and Character Development Lab, suggests a number of different activities can link up instructional strategies with social cues, from sharing circles to morning meetings.
These moments encourage students to share their feelings, listen to one another and express kindness. Such social-emotional learning skills are essential to all instruction, including academics, he said. Embedding them in the classroom can help students develop them further.
