Fostering Young Children\u27s Social Competencies

Children can benefit from direct instruction and scaffolding of classroom behaviors much like they would in other academic areas. Research suggests teachers of young children frequently lack the strategies required to effectively interpret and respond to behaviors that challenge them. The purpose of this study is to implement strategies that can foster and promote social competence in children in order to encourage more positive classroom behaviors. This study took place in a kindergarten and a first-grade classroom at the same school. Date sources included classroom observation (anecdotal records and observation checklists), transcriptions of audio recordings, and photographs. We expect to find that utilizing intentional teaching strategies targeted to develop children\u27s social competencies will support their learning in the classroom. Promoting social competence in young children is important for all teachers as it encourages an overall more successful school experience