Promote Social Understanding in Elementary Students with Educational Videos

As educators and parents, we understand the importance of social understanding in elementary students. Developing social perception skills is crucial for children to navigate social interactions, build relationships, and thrive in various settings. One effective tool that can help promote social perception in elementary students is educational videos. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of using videos to teach social perception in elementary students and provide strategies for incorporating them into the social emotional learning curriculum.

Understanding Social Perception

Social perception refers to the ability to interpret and understand social cues, emotions, and intentions in others. It involves recognizing facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice to make accurate judgments about people’s thoughts and feelings. For elementary students, social perception plays a vital role in developing empathy, perspective-taking, and effective communication skills.

Elementary students go through various developmental milestones in social perception. In the early years, they learn to recognize basic emotions and understand that others have different thoughts and feelings. As they progress, they develop more advanced skills, such as understanding sarcasm, detecting non-verbal cues, and interpreting social situations accurately. By promoting social perception skills, we can help children navigate social interactions with confidence and empathy.

Benefits of Using Educational Videos

Educational videos provide a unique and engaging learning experience for elementary students. Here are some of the benefits of using videos to teach social perception:

Engaging and Interactive Learning Experience

Videos capture children’s attention and make learning enjoyable. They provide a multisensory experience by combining visuals, sounds, and narratives, which helps students retain information better. Educational videos often incorporate storytelling and relatable characters, making complex social concepts more accessible and relatable to young learners.

Visual and Auditory Stimulation for Enhanced Comprehension

Visual cues in videos, such as facial expressions and body language, help students understand and interpret emotions and social cues. By observing these visual cues, students can practice recognizing and responding appropriately to different social situations. Additionally, auditory stimulation, such as dialogue and sound effects, enhances comprehension and helps students develop listening skills.

Facilitation of Social Learning through Modeling and Observation

Videos provide opportunities for students to observe and learn from social interactions modeled by characters. By watching how characters navigate social situations, students can learn appropriate social skills, problem-solving strategies, and conflict resolution techniques. This observational learning promotes social understanding and empowers students to apply these skills in their own lives.

Selecting Appropriate Videos

When selecting educational videos to teach social perception, it is essential to consider the following factors:

Consideration of Age-Appropriate Content

Ensure that the videos you choose are suitable for the age and developmental level of your students. Look for videos that address social perception skills relevant to elementary students, such as recognizing emotions, understanding non-verbal cues, and perspective-taking. Avoid videos that may be too complex or mature for your students.

Identifying Videos that Target Social Perception Skills

Look for videos specifically designed to teach social perception skills. These videos may focus on topics such as empathy, active listening, conflict resolution, and friendship skills. By targeting specific skills, you can provide targeted instruction and support for your students’ social development.

Evaluating the Quality and Credibility of Educational Videos

Before using a video in your classroom, evaluate its quality and credibility. Consider factors such as the production value, accuracy of content, and appropriateness of language and visuals. Look for videos created by reputable organizations or educators who specialize in social emotional learning.

Incorporating Videos into Social Emotional Learning Curriculum

Once you have selected appropriate videos, it’s time to incorporate them into your social emotional learning curriculum. Here are some strategies for effectively using videos to promote social understanding:

Integration of Videos as Supplementary Teaching Tools

Integrate videos into your existing lessons and activities as supplementary teaching tools. Use videos to introduce or reinforce social perception concepts, spark discussions, and provide real-life examples. For example, if you are teaching about empathy, show a video that depicts characters demonstrating empathy in different situations.

Incorporating Videos into Classroom Discussions and Activities

After watching a video, engage students in meaningful discussions to deepen their understanding. Encourage them to reflect on the characters’ actions, emotions, and problem-solving strategies. Ask open-ended questions that promote critical thinking and perspective-taking. You can also incorporate role-playing activities or group discussions to encourage students to apply what they have learned from the video.

Utilizing Videos for Individual or Small Group Interventions

If you have students who need additional support in developing social perception skills, use videos as part of individual or small group interventions. Select videos that target specific areas of difficulty and use them as a starting point for discussions and skill-building activities. Provide guidance and scaffolding to help students generalize the skills they learn from the videos to real-life situations.

Strategies for Maximizing Learning from Videos

To maximize the learning experience from educational videos, consider implementing the following strategies:

Pre-viewing Activities to Activate Prior Knowledge

Before watching a video, activate students’ prior knowledge by discussing the topic or introducing relevant vocabulary. This will help students make connections and prepare them for the content they are about to watch. For example, if you are going to show a video about body language, discuss what body language is and ask students to share examples they have observed in their daily lives.

Active Viewing Techniques to Enhance Comprehension

During the video, encourage active viewing by providing guiding questions or prompts. Ask students to pay attention to specific social cues, emotions, or problem-solving strategies portrayed in the video. Pause the video at strategic points to allow for discussion and reflection. This active engagement will help students process the information more effectively.

Post-viewing Discussions and Reflections for Deeper Understanding

After watching the video, facilitate meaningful discussions and reflections. Encourage students to share their thoughts, feelings, and insights about the video. Ask them to make connections to their own lives and consider how they can apply the social perception skills they learned. This reflection process will deepen their understanding and promote transfer of learning.

Resources for Finding Educational Videos

There are several online platforms and websites that offer a wide range of educational videos for teaching social perception in elementary students. Some recommended resources include:

Online Platforms and Websites Offering Educational Videos

• EverydaySpeech: EverydaySpeech offers a comprehensive library of educational videos specifically designed to teach social perception skills in elementary students. Their videos are engaging, age-appropriate, and aligned with social emotional learning standards.
• YouTube Kids: YouTube Kids is a child-friendly version of YouTube that offers a variety of educational videos on social perception. However, it is essential to preview and select videos carefully to ensure appropriateness.
• BrainPOP Jr.: BrainPOP Jr. provides animated videos on various topics, including social perception. Their videos are informative, engaging, and suitable for elementary students.

Recommended Video Series and Channels for Teaching Social Perception

• “Sesame Street”: Sesame Street has a long history of creating educational content that promotes social understanding and emotional development in young children. Their videos feature beloved characters and address a wide range of social perception skills.
• “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood”: This animated series follows the adventures of Daniel Tiger and his friends as they navigate social situations. The episodes focus on social and emotional skills, including empathy, sharing, and problem-solving.
• “Social Thinking”: The Social Thinking channel on YouTube offers a collection of videos that teach social perception skills. The videos are designed by experts in the field of social emotional learning and provide valuable insights and strategies.

Conclusion

Promoting social understanding in elementary students is crucial for their overall development and success. By incorporating educational videos into the social emotional learning curriculum, we can provide engaging and effective instruction in social perception skills. Videos offer a multisensory learning experience, facilitate social learning through modeling and observation, and enhance comprehension through visual and auditory stimulation. Remember to select age-appropriate and high-quality videos, integrate them into lessons and discussions, and use strategies to maximize learning. Start your EverydaySpeech Free trial today and discover the power of educational videos in promoting social understanding in elementary students.