The Importance Of Social Connections

Children’s social contexts and networks provide important resources and influences that have the capacity to contribute to and enhance their psychological well-being. (Losier & Morrison, 2007; Sheridan, Warnes, Cowan, Schemm & Clarke, 2004). On an international level, school environments are central to facilitating positive student outcome. Although establishing a flawless school environment is impractical, teachers can influence the setting in which children learn to stimulate positive outcomes. In order to create a school environment that stimulates positive student outcomes, it is important to first determine what kind of environments achieve this. Some research, for instance, argues that school environments should promote social connections to create a sense of belongingness

Literature Review

Social Connections

Social connections can help to address a child’s need for belonging and combat the negative consequences of being socially excluded. This was demonstrated by Bracket (2011), who discusses a child’s need for belonging and the consequences of being socially excluded. Bracket (2011) utilizes qualitative research methods in a structured manner, to complete his study. In his exploratory research, he applied the Mayer–Salovey–Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test- Youth Version, as a research tool for collecting data and trends among the children. He applied the Mayer–Salovey–Caruso test because it requires children to solve tasks pertaining to intelligence as well as emotional control. His participant sample consisted of over 5,000 children between the ages 5-10 years old. Each child was allotted 45 minutes to complete the test and scores were calculated from each branches and totaled. Following this the children were debriefed and sent home, as their contribution was complete. By applying these practical research methods, Bracket (2011) uncovers the destructive