Social Skills in the Diversity era

Educators are often called to handle different challenges working with different types of learners. Some of them can easily build their social relationships; others are very introvert, competitive or even aggressive. Some have self-control and some others may have difficulties regulating their emotions. Some tend to be leaders, while others hesitate to express their opinion.
Different aspects influence social development. According to experts, social development correlates with the child’s and adolescent’s environment. Psychologists and social scientists underline that social skills can, and should, be taught. One of the basic roles of education is to cultivate interpersonal skills and to contribute to a participative, democratic society. Aside from that, providing social skills and participation supports students in having better course performances and a more solid self-image. They experience teamwork, learn to manage their emotions, adopt solving problems strategies, become more empathetic and learn to manage conflicts.
This course aims to train teachers in helping students acquire social skills. Teaching social skills can be compared to teaching academics. The first step involves knowing where to start. The parents, siblings, teachers, peers and the child can provide information about social skills that need to be addressed. Direct observation, checklists, social skills scales, functional behavior assessment, identifying solutions to problem scenarios and reports are useful tools.

- Objectives

✓ Providing insights into different aspects of social development.
✓ Learning how to teach the content of children rights in the classroom through experiential, participative learning.
✓ Encouraging teachers to engage learners in practical learning mechanisms through a participative, inclusive and creative approach.
✓ Promoting diversity awareness.
✓ Sharing experiences and good practices in the fields of experiential and collaborating learning.
✓ Developing effective communication strategies to empower the relationships in the Classroom.
✓ Learning Conflict management and anti-bullying techniques.
✓ Strengthening self-consciousness and emotional intelligence of the students.

- Target Groups
The course is aimed at educators and youth workers, who are interested in the implementation of participative, inclusive structures in their work and who want to support children and adolescents in their social and personal development, through experiential learning. The workshop includes some theoretical part and indoor and outdoor activities.


- Methods & Tools
The course focuses on social and game-based activities examples of good practice as well as discussions and experience comparisons. The activities will take place indoor and outdoor. It also includes study visits.

Agenda
Day 1
✓ Introductory meeting, explanation of practical arrangements, presentation of timetable, information about course venue.
✓ Icebreakers, Introduction to the Course
✓ Analysis of the factors that influence social development
✓ “Our common characteristic is our diversity”

Day 2
✓ Outdoor Activities as tool for the team growth
Day 3
✓ Working on Emotional intelligence in the class: different strategies and approaches
✓ Developing verbal and non-verbal Communication skills : two-way street
✓ listening
✓ Communicating with the Giraffe- language: The example of a school-based non-violent communication Project

Day 4
✓ Carrying about yourself and others: tools for developing self esteem and
awareness
✓ Building a democratic school community -Workshop based on Children
Rights using different approaches

Day 5
✓ The role of the trainer as a mediator in the conflict resolution process – a
psychodramatic approach
✓ Design and development of a preventive policy action plan against bullying (case study)
Day 6
✓ Study Visits

Day 7
✓ Practice
✓ Course Evaluation
✓ Certifications