Shop by Topic
Shop by Product
ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues
<< Previous Issue
| View Past Issues | | Next Issue >> 
Social Competence Crucial
November 10, 2015
Generally by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out, and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.
-The Velveteen Rabbit (Williams, 1958)
-The Velveteen Rabbit (Williams, 1958)
A 20-year retrospective study, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, suggests that kindergarten students who are more inclined to exhibit "social competence" traits—such sharing, cooperating, or helping other kids—may be more likely to attain higher education and well-paying jobs. In contrast, students who exhibit weaker social competency skills may be more likely to drop out of high school, abuse drugs and alcohol, and need government assistance. Key findings:
For every one-point increase on the 5-point scale in a child's social competence score in kindergarten, he/she was:
* Twice as likely to attain a college degree in early adulthood;
* 54% more likely to earn a high school diploma; and
* 46% more likely to have a full-time job at the age of 25.
For every one-point decrease in a child's social competence score in kindergarten, he/she had:
* 67% higher chance of having been arrested by early adulthood;
* 82% higher rate of recent marijuana usage; and
* 82% higher chance of being in or on a waiting list for public housing.
Contributed by Kirsten Haugen
Friendship in the Lives of Young Children and Their Teachers |
|
|
|
Use code CONNECT when prompted.
Offer valid through February 12, 2019 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. |
ExchangeEveryDay
Delivered five days a week containing news, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.
What is ExchangeEveryDay?
ExchangeEveryDay is the official electronic newsletter for Exchange Press. It is delivered five days a week containing news stories, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.
Comments (4)
Displaying All 4 CommentsTowson University
Towson, Maryland, United States
The comments above by Lori are spot on. The data RWJ offers is a side of any "story." Instead, there are children who do not do well when they are younger who blossom when they are older, even adults. Reasons: They are resilient and often like themselves. Also, social competence, in my view, is a great concept, yet there is not a descriptor that applies to all situations. Thus, whose notion of social competence is being put forth, the researchers (even if there is research data describing the descriptors)? Great topic, my hope is more is done with a different construct with comparisons made with the RJW data. Thank You!
World Forum Foundation
Eugene, OR, United States
So the key then is to be sure we really do an authentic and respectful job of supporting children to become socially competent, not simply rewarding them when they're good at following the rules but with intention and in recognition of each child's own story, supporting them as they develop self awareness and self regulation, awareness of and compassion for others, self confidence and resilience. I believe this involves placing an especially strong and compassionate focus on children who struggle socially.
And I second Francis Wardle's call to action, above!
CSBC
Denver, CO, United States
We keep hearing about the value of play and the arts in the curriculum, exposing children to nature, and the critical importance of social competence, yet we keep increasing academic expectations and insisting on inappropriate behaviors of our young children. How do we resolve this conflict? Its time for action!
Pennsylvania, United States
Back to basics. Children should be cared for by loving, attentive adults who can help guide them, model social skills for them, read and talk to them and enjoy the wonder of their imaginative and inquisitive brains. Early childhood educators play an important role in the lives of children, it is our job to educate everyone: parents, politicians, school boards about what is appropriate for these young children and to stand up and say NO to ridiculous demands placed on the children. Living in the social world is hard enough as the children face situations at school/daycare that they must confront everyday---sharing, waiting, taking turns, manners, separation, feelings----these are life skills. All of the other concepts: literacy, numeracy, are just part and parcel of a conversational classroom---it should flow naturally.
Post a Comment