A recent report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) highlights that around half of pupils in England have been negatively affected in terms of their socioemotional development, and the story is the same everywhere.
What is socioemotional development?
“Social development” is the ability to build and maintain healthy relationships with others.
“Emotional development” is the process of learning to recognise, understand, express, and manage our emotions in a healthy way. It also involves developing the ability to respond appropriately to other people’s emotions.
Collectively, they’re referred to as “socioemotional” – or “social-emotional” – development.
Isolation, disrupted routines, and the uncertainty of the times have all taken a toll on students’ emotional and social development, and in our post-pandemic world, many children are struggling with emotional challenges.
Why are social-emotional skills important?
Social-emotional skills are the key to connecting with other people, and children who have strong social and emotional skills are more likely to succeed in school, work, and life. They’re also less likely to experience mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
By developing our children’s social-emotional skills, we’re helping them:
- make and keep friends
- develop confidence
- resolve conflicts and disagreements
- manage stress and anxiety
- learn social norms
- make responsible decisions
- resist negative peer pressure
- understand their own strengths and weaknesses
- be aware of the feelings of others, and put themselves in their shoes
6 ways our singing and drama lessons help with social-emotional skills
Through our weekly classes and school partnerships, Little Voices plays a vital role in supporting both parents and schools develop children’s social-emotional skills and improve their wellbeing.
- Boosting confidence and self-esteem: our singing and drama lessons help children learn how to express themselves and gain confidence in their abilities – both of which can have a ripple effect on other areas of their lives.
- Emotional expression: a Little Voices class is a safe and creative space where children and young people feel comfortable enough to release any pent-up emotions, helping to reduce any stress and anxiety they might be feeling.
- Improved communication skills: our hand-picked tutors help youngsters learn how to articulate their thoughts and feelings clearly, developing vital communication skills they’ll be able to use as they move through life.
- Teamwork and collaboration: our acting classes help children learn to work as part of a wider team – they’ll have to collaborate with others in their group to create scenes or performances, for example.
- Resilience and adaptability: when it comes to the performing arts, things don’t always go to plan, so children learn how to adapt to unforeseen circumstances (because after all, the show must go on!).
- Happiness and wellbeing: singing’s a massive mood-booster, and taking part in structured drama lessons has a wealth of social and psychological benefits. And at Little Voices, kids will have lots of fun and make new friends along the way!
What’s more, at Little Voices every child goes through the LAMDA examination programme. And because we make the process such a positive experience, not only do we take away the fear that the word ‘exam’ holds for so many of us, but every child comes away with their heads held high and a real sense of pride!
Little Voices is about more than nurturing talent: we’re also about empowering our children and young people to thrive in an ever-changing world.
And we’re about helping to ensure a brighter future for this next generation, who deserve nothing less.
We offer all children a free trial class, just contact your local Little Voices office to find out more.
And if you’re a school that would like to find out how we can help you support your pupils with their socioemotional skills and wellbeing, email us on info@littlevoices.org.uk.