Supporting Social Development in Schools

BY Ellen M.McCabe and Nakia C.Best

The ability to connect to others touches people of all ages, including toddlers, school-aged youth, high school students, and those shifting to life after K-12 instruction. As children develop and appreciate their individuality, they secure the capabilities to respond to others and control their activities. Social development necessitates a movement where youth, in their formative years, discover how to interrelate with others. During these foundational years, children establish bonds with others, manage interactions, and begin to experience and process disagreements and struggles.

Forming social-emotional competencies in school is fundamental to youth and their continuing achievements and welfare. Research upholds the belief that children attending schools that stress the growth of social-emotional abilities will demonstrate social progress. Youth who discover and establish proficiencies in handling feelings, constructing social connections, and practicing restraint while attending early childhood education are likelier to complete secondary education and have full-time employment as adults.

Schools are a prime place for students to learn, and efforts must be made to help students feel connected and supported by their peers and the adults. Nourishing social development can assist youth in acquiring an optimistic approach, steering them toward greater self-assurance and improved bonds with others. Additionally, strong social growth can aid youth with conflict resolution strategies. For example, consider the child who gets school-based support services and applies this support to solve differences with classmates.

Those involved with school health services must examine a youth’s passage through developmental milestones and the significance of school in allowing children to practice life skills with adults and peers. School personnel must respect all youth and their pathway to refining communication competencies, forming connections, and accommodating the more extensive world beyond school.

School nurses are one example of school personnel who are pivotal to the support of social development in youth. School nurses are often the only healthcare provider in the school setting. They have an essential role in keeping students healthy, safe, and ready to learn.

Through the services school nurses provide, they work to maintain or improve student physical and mental health, well-being, and academic success. Previous research has shown a positive link between positive student outcomes and school nurse-led interventions that support students with managing chronic conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes), building qualities such as resilience, and decreasing negative peer interactions.

Recommendations for school nurses, teachers, parents:

1. Model social development in interactions with children and other adults.

2. Encourage children to express their emotions by talking about how they feel.

3. Promote the children’s involvement in their own care by integrating play.

4. Be intentional about asking children about their time spent in school and their friends.

5. Allow children opportunities to discuss conflicts and problem solve their actions and reactions.

The environment in which a child lives, plays, and attends school plays a significant part of social development. For those who live or work with children continue to support their health, maturation, education, and resilience. Whether that is helping a child make friends, solve problems, mediate conflict, or cope with life struggles many of us are in a place to provide guidance and support children in their social and emotional journey.