Social Awareness: An Introductory Guide

Although the definition of social awareness is fairly succinct, it's a nuanced skill that develops significantly throughout childhood. Most people acknowledge that being 'socially aware' is something that continues to hone throughout adult life; as we're introduced to new information and experiences that require us to understand the views and standpoints of others.

What is social awareness and why is it important?

Being a part of diverse social groups as we grow, we learn to recognize the differences in our experiences and viewpoints. The more groups we interact with or join, the more we develop our social awareness.

As previously defined, social awareness is the ability to consider the perspective of others, understand their emotions, and ultimately, adjust one’s behavior in an appropriate, respectful, and inclusive manner.

A child with social awareness will be observed as intently watchful and careful of others' reactions and feelings in various situations. They are quick to notice a difference in a peer’s mood, and also quick to offer comfort or resolution.

As they grow, their social awareness skills will be apparent in many positive ways and in various settings, such as leadership in the classroom or community, professionalism in the workplace, or positive communication in relationships.

As we understand what social awareness is and what it looks like, we now ask, "Why is social awareness important?" Here are some of the essential skills that a socially aware individual possesses:

1. Nurturing Leadership Skills

A great leader is not only focused on goals — they are also focused on people. They are heart-led and people-smart.

They can read the room, sense when someone’s feeling unheard, and adapt their approach to meet others where they are. This leader listens deeply, speaks thoughtfully, and acts with empathy.

These qualities of an effective leader are rooted in the awareness of others’ feelings, backgrounds, and needs.

Overall, social awareness teaches individuals how to adapt to diverse environments, build inclusive teams, and resolve conflicts with professionalism.

2. Strengthening Collaboration and Communication Skills

In a globalized society where the ability to collaborate effectively is paramount, individuals with positive communication skills thrive the most.

Social awareness forms the foundation of collaboration and communication skills. Those who are socially aware are better able to listen actively, express themselves clearly, and work harmoniously with others.

These skills go beyond academic settings—they translate directly to success in the workplace and personal relationships.

3. Build Stronger, Healthier Relationships

The ability to understand others’ emotions, respond appropriately, and positively adjust one’s behavior are social awareness skills that ensure a positive impact on one’s interpersonal relationships.

That’s why socially aware individuals benefit from healthy, meaningful relationships, as they are more attuned to other’s needs, and can navigate social situations easier.

These skills allow them to easily belong with their peers, contribute to a positive school environment, and also set the foundation for lifelong personal and social success.

Reinforcing Social Awareness Skills: The Lasting Impact

As we grow, social awareness skills and societal awareness help us to understand how one fits into and contributes to the community and the world, as well as how we get what we need from the world.

In the long term, social awareness skills will help us understand professionalism in the workplace, as well as make it easier to share information, communicate, and collaborate with others. From a personal point of view, social awareness is a fundamental part of creating friendships and relationships - helping us to lead happy and fulfilled lives.

Although social awareness is still developing during a child's school years, it's a vitally important skill to foster in children - not only because of the lifelong implications but also helps them and others get the most out of their education.

An in-school example

Schools are a perfect place to watch the development of social awareness - and every passing moment will present examples of growing emotional intelligence and awareness in children.

Consider an instance where two children are sitting quietly, taking part in collaborative learning. A third child may want to join in, and so abruptly enters the interaction; using clumsy body language to make themselves the center of attention. This gives the other children no option but to engage.

If the two original children also have a fairly underdeveloped social ability, this kind of forced interaction might be accepted - but if their emotional skills are slightly more developed, the third child's action is likely to be considered rude. Even if the children don't address any negative feelings immediately, it's likely to inform social decisions further down the line - and it's almost certainly interrupted teaching and learning.

What are the types of social awareness?

Social-emotional learning theory is underpinned by the work of Daniel Goleman, who builds the idea of social and emotional intelligence (EQ) around several key social awareness components, including:

• Emotional self-awareness: Being emotionally aware is the skill behind understanding what one is feeling and appreciating how different moods can impact those around us.

• Self-regulation: The art of controlling the response to emotions - anticipating outcomes to avoid being emotionally reactive in personal and social situations.

• Motivation: Involves understanding how to use emotional factors to learn and achieve personal goals.

• Empathy: The skill of considering the emotions and circumstances of other individuals.

• Respect: Best defined as having regard for another person or group's experiences, emotions, wishes, or rights.

• Kindness: The action of being friendly and considerate to other people, and is especially important even if you don't share their views or standpoints.

• Listening Actively: Active listening is the skill of truly being seen to listen - paying attention, and taking time to understand what is being said.

• Cooperation: The positive action of finding a resolution or a way of working with other individuals or groups. It often involves compromise - but helps to achieve shared goals.

How to teach social awareness in school?

According to the information produced by Goleman, schools that help to build the above social skills in their students see significant reductions in the instances of disciplinary problems, bullying, violence, and substance misuse - while academic performance, community engagement, and overall emotional well-being increase.

So, how can social awareness be taught in school?

First, it's important to understand where each child's EQ currently sits - every child enters the classroom with a different background and set of experiences, so it's important to identify those whose awareness needs an initial helping hand or slightly more ongoing support.

Teachers need to be prepared to address emotions in the classroom right from the start, ensuring that these discussions are conducted without any form of judgment. There's a tendency to label some emotions as 'good' - while some are considered 'bad'. In truth, there's no right or wrong when it comes to how a student is feeling; instead, there are simply appropriate ways of expressing those emotions - often depending on the setting or circumstances.

Taking the next steps

There's no single, magic lesson that will have the components of EQ fall immediately into place for every child. Instead, the Positive Action model emphasizes each positive action and ability; fostering a healthy and positive cycle.

With each unit, children at your school will start to recognize and manage their emotions, develop an understanding of others, and handle social situations effectively; both in school and in the community - paving the way for success throughout life.

Positive Action offers webinars and resources that give you and your team the chance to review information about the program in detail and ask any questions you might have. If you'd like to hear more about what we can offer for your school, feel free to contact us and chat about what the next steps could look like for your school.