Teachers’ Attitudes Regarding the Development of Socio-Emotional Skills in Elementary Schools in Greece

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers’ attitudes regarding the development of socio-emotional skills of students in primary general schools and the implementation of programs concerning the development of these skills within the school context. Socio-emotional skills are of particular importance in children's lives, as they help to develop appropriate codes of behavior, which would allow them to survive in the contemporary demands of society. Students should be able to communicate in acceptable ways, both with their peers and with other members of their family and society. An important contributor to the development of socio-emotional skills is the teacher (Elias & Arnold, 2006). The contemporary teacher must be thoroughly informed about techniques and approaches that should be followed to develop and strengthen the cultivation of these skills to all students and particularly to those who experience difficulties of social adaptation and show disruptive behavioral disorders.