Social and interpersonal development

Students who lack appropriate social skills and cannot develop cooperative social interactions are disadvantaged in many ways. If they lack friends, they are often excluded from the activities that make school enjoyable and memorable for the majority of students. By extension, being happy as a student and in later life may require more interventions than have been considered necessary as part of modem schooling. By introducing relatively simple strategies to improve Gerald and Wayne's social skills, their teachers made a positive contribution to their inclusion. The activities outlined in this chapter are intended to support teachers in their efforts to not only understand students who lack social skills and friendships, but also provide strategies to promote friendships and social inclusion that might lead toward happiness.