NEL
Home > Teaching and Learning > VSLD > SEC

Social and Emotional Competencies


Social and emotional competencies help children understand themselves and develop a positive sense of themselves in relation to their peers, family and the community. These competencies also have a long-term positive impact on their behaviours, attitudes, motivation and academic performance. 

The five social and emotional competencies that contribute to children’s personal and social well-being are: 

Self-awareness


What does it mean?
Children with an awareness of personal identity are able to identify their own abilities and personal qualities and have a positive self-concept. They also recognise that they are part of a socio-cultural group as they develop a sense of self-identity. 

Why is it important?
Self-awareness allows children to recognise and understand their thoughts, values and personal goals which enable them to construct an understanding of who they are. This helps them grow in confidence and understand themselves in relation to the people around them.  

Self-management


What does it mean?
Children who have self-management and regulation skills are able to identify and label their emotions and thus, understand, explain and manage their emotions. They are able to express their emotions appropriately and control impulsive behaviours. 

Why is it important?
Self-management skills enable children to achieve personal well-being, demonstrate pro-social behaviours and be their best selves.

Exploring feelings Exploring feelings

Encourage children to make facial expressions to illustrate feelings such as happiness, sadness and anger, and observe themselves in the mirror.

Use \ Use "Feeling" cards

Provide neutral platforms for children to discuss emotions, such as through picture cards. Ask “What emotion is this? Why do you think he/she feels this way?”

Express feelings through art Express feelings through art

Provide opportunities for children to draw and identify different expressions. When children recognise how others show feelings, they can better respond and show care for others.

Manage emotions and behaviours Manage emotions and behaviours

Use stories, songs and puppets to model for children how to express and cope with emotions appropriately.
 

Manage emotions and behaviours Manage emotions and behaviours

Provide readily accessible resource materials (e.g. emotion charts, and posters on conflict management) to remind children on ways to manage their emotions and behaviours.

Manage emotions and behaviours Manage emotions and behaviours

Role-play provides ‘safe’ environments for children to identify and practice reactions to different situations. What scenarios can you pose to your children? 

Seize teachable moments Seize teachable moments

Seize teachable moments throughout the day, such as temper tantrums, to help children recognise and manage their emotions. 


Social awareness


What does it mean?
Children with social awareness are aware of the diversity in their community and are respectful towards people around them.  They are able to respond appropriately to what people are experiencing and feeling, and recognise the need for rules and routines for living, playing, and working together. 

Why is it important?
Social awareness enables children to develop cognitive and emotional empathy, understand the perspectives of people from different backgrounds and cultures, and become more sensitive to the social environment and the needs of others. 

Relationship management


What does it mean?
Children with relationship management skills develop an awareness of the need to show appreciation and care for others, and learn how to use appropriate strategies to establish and maintain friendships and positive relationships. In the event of disagreement, they are aware of and use appropriate strategies to manage disagreement.

Why is it important?
Relationship management enables children to build and maintain positive relationships with others and develop empathy towards others. 

Get children to think about what friendship is: Get children to think about what friendship is:
Looking at their faces, how do you think the children feel? Why do you think they feel this way? What do you enjoy doing with your friends?
This sculpture is called “Chang Kuda” (“chang” means “to carry” and “kuda” is “horse” in Malay). This sculpture is called “Chang Kuda” (“chang” means “to carry” and “kuda” is “horse” in Malay).
What does this sculpture show?
What are the children doing? What are the children doing?
How are they working together? What games can you use to help children learn to work with one another?
What are the children doing? What are the children doing?
How are they working together? How can you make use of routines to get children to work together?
What are the children doing? What are the children doing?
How can you help your children better communicate with their friends?
What are the children doing? What are the children doing?
How is role play useful in helping children play with each other? What other role play scenarios can you think of?

Responsible decision making
What does it mean?
Children develop responsible decision making skills when they develop an awareness of the effect or consequences of their choices and actions, with the support of teachers and parents. 

Why is it important?
Responsible decision-making enables children to apply moral reasoning and sound values-based judgements in the choices they make. 


Sticker