Evidence-based strategies for teaching students with social and emotional difficulties

Researcher suggests that teachers should focus on explicit teaching strategies for children with social difficulties. It also presents the importance of implementing early targeted intervention activities. The first step in understanding the problem is assessing the child through observation and interaction. A tool that can be used is the Child observation record, which is a checklist developed by High/Scope Education Research Foundation for “implementing and researching high quality early childhood programs” (Follari, 2011. P.154). this record can assist teachers in determining how best to approach the emotional difficulties and learning difficulties that it causes or caused by it. It is a checklist that assesses developmental outcomes in 30 areas such as cognitive, physical and socioemotional development (Follari, 2011). Each checklist is used for one child, and consists of three observations to be done over time. It will include observing behaviours, acquired skills and learning progress. This way, the child’s social interactions and his level of integration could be documented, as well as his/her strengths, best behaviours and favourite activities. even without the extensive form, teachers can write normal observations with a focus on the suspected learning area.

Here are some ideas to use the gathered information from the student:

- Establish supportive and inclusive learning environment.

- Peer tutoring and club groups. This could be based on the student’s favourite activities (e.g. Music, writing, reading) to be made part of a group of people with the same interest

- Modelling good behaviour: teachers and classmates need to model appropriate behaviour and social interactions.

- Clear and age appropriate activities and instructions. Focused activities are also very essential for some cases, such as discussions about emotions, working constructively in pairs (teacher present) and consultation with counsellor.

- Establish rules and display them in a place where students can always see and refer to.

- Promoting positive behaviour (teach rather than punish) and positively reinforcing accepted social behaviour.

- Use Individual Educational Plan (IEP) to plan for managing behaviours or teaching social skills. The IEP is designed in collaboration with the student’s parents, teachers and other professionals who are involved in his life.