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MOE - Nurturing Early Learners Portal
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  2. Values, Social and Emotional Competencies and Learning Dispositions
  3. Social and Emotional Competencies
  4. Competency 3: Develop social awareness

Competency 3: Develop social awareness

Social awareness is one of the 5 social and emotional competencies which contribute to children’s personal and social well-being.

Last updated 29 May 2025

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What is social awareness?
Why is social awareness important?
How might children demonstrate social awareness?
Related resources

What is social awareness?

Social awareness involves an awareness of the diversity in our community and respect towards people around us.  With social awareness, children are able to respond appropriately to what people are experiencing and feeling and recognise the need for rules and routines for living, playing, and working together harmoniously. 

The NEL Framework outlines the following knowledge, skills and dispositions as part of Competency 3: Develop social awareness and show respect for diversity.

Competency 3: Develop Social Awareness and Show Respect for Diversity

3.1 Develop an awareness that everyone is unique in terms of their backgrounds, abilities, needs and/or opinions

3.2 Develop an awareness of the importance of showing respect towards people they interact with and who are from diverse backgrounds and with different abilities, needs and/or opinions

3.3 Respond to what others are going through and how they are feeling through appropriate actions and/or words

3.4 Recognise the need for rules and routines for people to live, play and work together harmoniously

Why is social awareness important?

Social awareness enables children to develop cognitive and emotional empathy, understand the perspectives of people from different backgrounds and cultures, and become more sensitive to the social environment and the needs of others.

How might children demonstrate social awareness?

Here are some examples of how children might demonstrate social awareness through their actions, speech and behaviour:

  • Behaving appropriately and responsibly in public places, school and at home

  • Responding appropriately to their friends’ feelings (e.g., comforting a crying friend)

  • Suggesting class rules and following them

Related resources