The development of socio-emotional skills from the institutional curriculum in Primary Education
The development of socio-emotional skills from the institutional curriculum in Primary Education
Keywords:
social and emotional learning, primary education, teacher education, curriculum development, social behaviourAbstract
This study examines the development of socio-emotional skills in primary education, addressing the limited empirical research on their implementation within the Cuban institutional curriculum. The objective was to implement a system of activities for the explicit teaching of socio-emotional skills, aimed at enhancing students’ cognitive learning and social behavior. The proposed system was designed based on findings from the ERCE 2019 study. Methodologically, the research adopted a qualitative approach with an explanatory scope, using a collective case study of an evaluative nature. The design integrated theoretical methods (historical-logical and analytical-synthetic) and empirical methods (document analysis and participatory techniques). The study was conducted in a primary school in Havana and included teacher training alongside the implementation of activities such as photolanguage workshops, dramatization, critical dialogue, and storytelling. The results show significant improvements in emotional identification and regulation, cooperation, and appreciation of diversity, along with notable positive changes in academic performance and school behavior. Additionally, ongoing teacher professional development and family involvement were identified as key factors for sustaining these practices. The findings suggest that the institutional curriculum provides a strategic framework for promoting socio-emotional learning, while simultaneously fostering cognitive development, harmonious coexistence, and civic education. Finally, the study recommends the development of contextualized diagnostic methodologies and adaptive intervention models to strengthen socio-emotional education in Cuban primary schools.
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