Social Brain Goes to School

Social Brain Goes to School: How Relationships Power Learning

Inside our brains, a complex network of elec- trical activity connects the dots of social inter- action. It’s like a dance of neurons, creating a symphony of communication. This intricate web allows us to interact, form connections, and build social relationships. It’s through this neural language that we navigate our social world, understanding others and being understood. But here’s the catch - when we fail to properly interpret and respond to social cues, we can feel socially disconnected. It’s like speaking a different language and not being able to con - nect with others. This disconnection can lead to loneliness and have detrimental effects on our mental health. In fact, we experience that ‘social pain’ in much the same way that we experience physical pain. When we experi- ence rejection or a fractured relationship, our brains register it as actual pain, just as real as the physical pain of breaking a bone. 9 Our Social Brain, which naturally prioritizes pro- social interactions, reacts to social pain as a deep hurt that resonates within us. When we feel the social pain of rejection, loss, and being left out, our social self retreats within us. The good news is that forming new connections and nurturing existing relation- ships can help alleviate social pain and pro- tect our well-being. 10 It’s like a soothing balm that heals the wounds of social isolation. By actively cultivating social and emotional skills, we equip ourselves with the tools to build meaningful connections and thrive in our social world. Schools are a hub for social interaction. Stu- dents, with their innate curiosity and desire to connect, seek security and support within their learning communities. They crave spaces where they can explore their interests, collab- orate with peers, and feel accepted both per-

sonally and as learners. It’s in these school settings that social interaction becomes not only essential for emotional and mental well-being, but also critical for brain develop- ment and learning. 11

By leveraging the power of the Social Brain, ed- ucators can create learning experiences that tap into students’ natural inclination for social connection. Dr. Patricia Kuhl, co-director of the Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences at the University of Washington states, “There’s a learning opportunity here. You can create a moment of real synergy that creates better learning for all when children are put together in small groups… ’We’re going to solve prob- lems collaboratively’, means that you’re allow- ing this face-to-face interaction to thrive, to let the brains of children implicitly learn from the signals that are automatically there when we interact with one another”. 12 When students work together on small aca- demic teams, they engage in a spirited pro- cess that promotes communication, team- work, and social skills. It’s like creating a rich soil where their minds can flourish, and their social intelligence can blossom.