nel-edu-guide-social-emotional-development

Modelling Positive BehavioursA practical way for children to learn a concept or skill is by seeing and doing. Assuch, teachers can model behaviours such as being empathetic, admitting mistakesthat they make and taking responsibility for their actions. Teachers can enhance thelearning of a social skill or disposition by making explicit what they are doing (e.g.pointing out how she demonstrates empathy or saying as she passes a block to achild, “It looks like you need another block. Can I share mine with you?”).Using Dramatisation and Role PlayRole play provides opportunities for children to act out the role of a particularperson or a character in a familliar story. This allows them to explore issues, attitudes,behaviours and values.Through dramatisation and role play they can:• Take on the perspective of others• Engage in constructive dialogue with others• Communicate feelings, ideas and points of view• Reflect on the opinions and attitudes of other peopleInvolving children in the planning of scenarios at the Dramatic Play Centre alsoprovides opportunities for children to play cooperatively together and negotiate forthe role that they will play. Role play also allows children to show empathy for othersbecause they have “tried to be” someone else for a while (e.g. when they act outroles of patients and doctors in a “medical clinic” or customers, store managers andcashiers in a “supermarket”).Children take on the perspective of others as they role play as doctors, nurses,firemen and construction workers at the Dramatic Play Centre.30Copyright © 2013, Ministry of Education, Singapore