The VIA Institute on Character describes social intelligence as:
“When a person knows what makes other people tick… They’re aware of the motives and feelings of themselves and others, and how to fit into different social situations. They can feel comfortable and say the right thing whether they’re in the boardroom or the janitorial room, in a school setting or at a construction site. Social intelligence involves two general components:
- Social awareness: what we sense about others
- Social facility: what we do with our awareness”
Helping our students to develop social intelligence skills is fundamental to their pathway into adulthood. How can we help them to develop this very necessary skill?
How to encourage social intelligence and empathy
Our young people often learn from observing from the adults around them and therefore we all have a role to play. Throughout my career, some of the ways I have observed the growth of this important trait within students include:
- Teaching students to communicate well with people and actively listen to what others have to say. At times, young people can act on impulse or want to jump ahead. Teaching them to just listen is very powerful.
- Teaching students to understand social roles and respectful behaviours based around these roles. I often comment to students that the way you speak to your friends is probably different to how you would address your principal, or your grandparents. They need to be aware of respectful behaviour in a variety of settings. Socially intelligent students know when and how to adjust their tone, language, or behaviour depending on who they are interacting with.
- Group work and cooperative learning projects give students the chance to develop social intelligence by interacting with others, sharing responsibilities, and managing group dynamics.
Empathy is an integral part of social intelligence. It allows students to feel and understand what others are going through emotionally and respond in ways that reflect care and consideration. It helps them better understand others’ feelings and perspectives and can lead to improved conflict resolution, reduced bullying, and stronger peer support.
As a history teacher, I consider empathy to be a key concept in understanding history. By sharing stories of those who have lived through very significant historical events, such as World War II, we can help young people to gain perspective and have a degree of understanding of those experiences.
We want Investigator students to be socially intelligent and empathetic young people. Staff and members of our community often tell me just how respectful and well-behaved Investigator students are. They care deeply for animals and the environment, and they are just nice kids. We need to keep fostering that environment and supporting them in developing their social intelligence.
This topic is particularly relevant in relation to R U OK? Day, which we embraced yesterday at the College. Our students had some fun throwing sponges at staff and raising money, but they also understand it is for such an important cause. Simple conversations and checking in with those we care for could have such a significant impact in their lives.
There is such a positive and productive vibe around the College at the moment. Once again, thank you to all our families who continue to support us.
