SOCIAL LITERACY

Social Literacy

-It concerns itself with the development of social skills, knowledge and positive human
values that enable human beings to act positively and responsibly in range of
complex social settings. It is the knowledge of how to behave and treat other people in
a way that is no just. and equitable, with a view of promoting positive and
productive relations. And that are free from unfair prejudices, hate and

discrimination.
Social Literacy is so crucial in a persons success. The ability to
communicate and voice opinions and thoughts, as well as listening to
opinions and thoughts of others, is essential in learning. Firmly
grasping social cues and norms is extremely beneficial. In literally
every single setting of our lives :school, home, work, clubs and
activities, interacting with people(whether face to face or behind
technology), we use our social literacy.
These three descriptions will be explained below ;
• By morally upright, we refer to thoughts, speech, actions, and motivations that adhere
to a standard of right and wrong.
• speech, actions, and behaviors that are in-line with a fixed standard Justice-a system
that promotes and rewards good and at the same time punishes wrongdoing. Any
system of justice, whether national, regional, or local, requires a body of rules or laws
by which to measure and administer rewards and punishments.
• Equitable are the speech, actions, behaviors, and decisions that treat others fairly,

regardless of background or circumstances. Not To be Confused with equality, which

connotes a fixed standard of treatment for all people, equity seeks the good of others,

and labors to find means by which everyone gets "what they need" rather than simply
"everyone gets the same thing in the same amount."
What is Social Literacy and
Why is it Important?
 Social Literacy is a students successful performance and understanding of
social Skills, organizational skills, and communication skills. It is the students
ability to connect effectively with those around them. Social literacy spans
across interacting with peers, family, coworkers, teachers, and even people we
may not have met face to face.
Several Types of Social Skills that
must be Mastered for a Child to be
Socially Adept
• Greeting
• Initiating Conversation
• Understanding the listener
• Empathizing
• Reading Social Cues
• Previewing or Planning
• Problem-Solving
• Apologizing
The Role of Parents and
Teachers in Teaching
Social Skills to Children
 Role of parents

Parents are the child's first role model. Children behave, react and imitate same as their
parents. Parents play important role in encouraging and motivating their kids to learn. Good
parental support helps child to be positive, healthy and good life long learner. Children acquire

skills at the very early stage of their life if the parents are responsive and understanding .
Most children experience occasional rejection, and most children are sometimes
socially clumsy, insensitive, or even unkind. Signs that a child may need some
social coaching include:
•
Lacks at least one or two close mutual friends
•
Has trouble losing or winning gracefully
•
Doesn't show empathy when others are hurt or rejected
•
Acts bossy or insists on own way a lot
•
Can't seem to start or maintain a conversation
•
Uses a louder voice than most children
•
Seems constantly ignored or victimized by other children or constantly
teases or annoys other children
Parents use a 4-part strategy when helping their children develop social
skills:

• Practice
• Praise
• Point out
• Prompt.
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bi l oi tyrntotrahiatsv.ePgeooopdles wo chi oa l get along with others have learned skills

to do so, and they practice these regularly.
Just like a good coach can make the difference for a budding soccer player,
parents can help their children become socially skilled.
 Role of Teachers

Major challenges for teachers are to nurture children's learning and give him various
experiences to face this challenging world. She molds the child to be a responsible and
independent learner. Teacher is the first person from whom child learns his social skills
in
school. Teachers make them comfortable and guide them at the early concepts and
developmental skills of life. Open minded, well balanced and a planned teacher has a great
power to bring a positive change in the child's development. As the child grows and
develops mastery in different skills, teacher becomes a real guide in nurturing his interest
and learning to make him more independent.
The critical role that school plays in the child's social development and self-concept
must be recognized. Even if a child is enjoying academic success in the classroom,
his attitude about school will be determined by the degree of social success that he
experiences. There is much that the teacher can do to foster and promote social
development in the student. Children tend to fall into four basic social categories in
the school setting:

•
REJECTED - Students who are consistently subjected to ridicule, bullying and
harassment by classmates.
•
ISOLATED - Students who, although not openly rejected, are ignored by
classmates and are uninvolved in the social aspects of school.

• CONTROVERSIAL - Students who have established a circle of friends based

upon common interests or proximity but seldom move beyond that circle.
•
POPULAR - Students who have successfully established positive relationships
within a variety of groups.
Most important, the teacher must clearly demonstrate acceptance of and affection for the
isolated or rejected child. This conveys the constant message that the child is worthy of
attention. The teacher should use her status as a leader to increase the status of the child.
The teacher can assist the child by making him aware of the traits that are widely-accepted
and admired by his peers. Among these traits are:
•
Smiles/
laughsGreets
others
Extends invitations
•

•
Shares
•
Gives compliments
Issues in Teaching
Social Literacy
 Subjective Standards of Morality

The natural outcome of postmodern philosophies is that truth and morality

areconsidered subjective and open to individual interpretation. This can be seen in the
current culture. Where actions and behavioral patterns that were once considered
bad have nowbecome acceptable-so much so that many now consider them to be
even goOd. When the standard of measure between good and bad changes this gives
us license to change as well and opens the gates to all hinds of abuse. This, in effect.
Pulls the rug out from under any and all attempts at true justice and equitability since
they themselves rely on a fixed moral standard.
 Human Nature

While we would all lihe to believe that people are inherently good experience has
taught us that the inherent goodness of humanity is, at best, unreliable: Sometimes it
is there, often it is not. We are quich to champion the cause of moral uprightness.
Justice and equity. But balh when our words and actions come under their scrutiny. ln
Other words, we insist that others be judged according to a fixed moral standard but
invohe a subjective one when our own behavior is questioned. We demand justice
when we perceive ourselves to be victims of wrongdoing, but we surround
ourselves with excuses when we do wrong. We insist that others treat us equitably,
but are reluctant when treating others with equity costs more than we expected.
 Today's students have grown up with the Internet that they have become
inseparable from their gadgets. Blake (2017) offers helpful reminders to
young professionals in terms of social skills in the modern age. This situation
underscores the importance of educating students in what could be called
social literacy to ensure their academic and career success.
 Situational Awareness in the Workplace

While casual office attire has become the norm in many offices, job interviews typically
require more formal dress and behavior to demonstrate a level of respect. Stories prevail of
young adults showing up to interviews in casual clothing, texting, or using phones during job
interviews or even bringing their parents with them. Such behavior demonstrates a lack of
Situational awareness about what is appropriate to do in different social Circumstances. While
college classrooms or the actual office atmosphere for a more casual dress code, students need
to is socially acceptable in terms of dress or behavior tor them to stand out above their
colleagues. An ability to read social situations illustrates strength to employers-quichly piching
up
on a may allow client's mood or expectations in various business or cross-cultural situations can
be the difference between Success and failure.
 Social Intelligence in Technological Communication

Text-speech and technology-use have affected many young people to communicate. While
email has deformalized much of the communication process, students still need to ensure
their writing denotes respect and provides enough c ontext for professors (or future employers)
to readily respond. ln addition, text-speah has reduced students' ability to communicate Using
Correct grammar. Through studying particular communication genres and what they demand,
students can learn more about what individual situations demand in terms of the formality of
communication. For example, if a professor signs an email with "Dr. Smith," this is a fairly good
indication that he expects to be addressed as such and not informally by his first name.
 Social Intelligence in Traditional Communication
While email has taken over as the primary method of communication traditional
modes of discourse still exist. For example, many employers still expect cover letters in addition
to
resumes, and the lach of a thank-you note for a gift is often perceived as more than
a simple social oversight. An ability to craft these types of documents illustrates an
understanding of
social expectations and denotes a level of respect or appreciation. While not related
to the traditional educational canon, learning to properly write a cover letter or business
letter or a thank-you card not only teaches students that these document exist and are
often necessary but also shows them how to craft such documents, saving them time and
energy in the future.
• Social literacy concerns itself with the development of social shills. Knowledge, and

positive human values that enable human beings to act positively and responsibly in range

of complex social settings.

• Social skills range from the ability to initiate, maintain, and end a conversation to
reading
social signs or more complex shills such as solving a problems and resolving conflict.

• The modern age calls for young professionals to develop situational awareness and social

intelligence in both technological and traditional communication to Succeed in their

academic and career endeavors. Peers and schools play a formative role on the social

shill development of children.