Spanish-English Kindergarten Students’ Expressed Feelings, Coping Strategies, and Observable Interactions of Social and Behavioral Events

• In Event: Examination of Social Emotional Learning With Children

Abstract

This study describes the emotional responses to hypothetical and observable social and emotional situations of Spanish-English kindergarten students. Students responded to most of the hypothetical social and emotional scenarios (i.e., cooperation, responsibility, empathy, self-control, and internalizing behavior) consistently, but there was more variation in how they would manage their behavior (i.e., seek adult support, ignore the situation, or communicate their disagreements). Observations revealed various displays of communication, cooperation, responsibility, and engagement skills and no behavior problems. These findings have implications to children’s learning opportunities (e.g., play time, language learning opportunities) with respect to their social and emotional competencies.

Author

• Alejandra Martin, American Institutes for Research