Why is it important for the school to concern itself with childrens :: Education

Why is it important for the school to restore itself with childrens societal and emotional development? Examine ways in which this could beattempted.In light of the current climate and the pressure on schools to improvestandards, it may seem a strange question to ask. However it is such afundamental issue that it is not only important barely also vital for theschool to misgiving itself with childrens social and emotionaldevelopment. This duty is now no longer an option. The aims of theNational Curriculum as set out in the1988 Education Reform present statesthat a schools curriculum shouldpromote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physicaldevelopment of pupils at the school and of society.(Kyriacou,1995)(p.18)Before elucidating on this question, it is important to know exactlywhat is meant by social and emotional development. Daniel Goldmandefines Emotional Intelligence as an energy firstly to understandwhy we behave the way we do and secondly to control those actions th atare inappropriate to the situation. It is also the ability toempathise and understand the emotions of others (Goldman 1996). Hence,the ultimate aim in this area with regards to child rearing is for awell-balanced and centred human being. The majority of people also broadly accept that to have been loved and accepted unconditionallyby just one other human being, as a child is enough for them to ascendto be normal and well balanced adults. It is therefore very clear thatparents have a large influence over this area of development. So, whyshould schools concern themselves with the social and emotionaldevelopment of children?Bandura, one of the main exponents of social learning theories arguesthat 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 suchas instructors who in the majority of cases for children are the firstoutside relationship that holds a position of authority. Teachers actas role models for children. It is not so much what a teacher tells achild but more the way he/she behaves towards the child that has theinfluence.Bandura held that children learn social behaviour through socialcontacts. In particular he made a study of aggression. He showed howchildren who were exposed to adult aggression, were more likely tobecome aggressive themselves. It was not the fact that these childrenwere exposed to aggression but the fact that the aggressive behaviourseemed to be sanctioned by the adults.