VoxTalks Economics

S7 Ep59: Spotting social isolation in the classroom

7 snips
Dec 20, 2024
Michela Carlana, a Harvard researcher, delves into the troubling prevalence of social isolation among children in Italian primary schools. She discusses innovative interventions that equip teachers to recognize and combat exclusion, such as creating 'friendship maps' to pinpoint social connections. The impact of these strategies extends beyond academics, positively influencing children's mental health and overall well-being. Michela emphasizes the importance of fostering inclusivity, especially in post-pandemic classrooms, to support all students.
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INSIGHT

Impact of Social Isolation

  • Social isolation at school harms children's self-esteem and sense of belonging.
  • It also leads to poor academic performance and unhealthy behaviors.
INSIGHT

Teacher Awareness

  • Teachers struggle to identify isolated children, often underestimating the issue's extent.
  • A study revealed that many teachers were unaware of the true number of isolated students in their classes.
ANECDOTE

Italian School Intervention

  • A study in Italian primary schools gave teachers data on social isolation in their classrooms.
  • This simple intervention aimed to increase teacher awareness and encourage proactive measures.
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