Social and Emotional Development

The term ‘Social and Emotional Development’ has become a hot parenting topic over the last few years… and quite rightly so! Since the onset of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, we have become more attuned to the emotional well-being of not only ourselves but also, and more importantly so, the emotional well-being of our children. If there is one thing that we can thank the pandemic for, it is being more aware of the need to provide our children, and ourselves, with an increased focus on social and emotional development, self-care, listening with empathy, being empathetic to those around us and having perspective.

What is social and emotional development?

Social and emotional development is a broad umbrella term that encompasses many facets of our general well-being and development areas such as:

  • peer pressure, 
  • how children form friendships and relationships and how they maintain them, 
  • how we interact with one another, 
  • how we express and show emotions.

Children growing up today are bombarded with so many messages, some of them conflicting, on how one should behave, speak or dress. Children are exposed to so much information that it is often difficult for them to manage the big emotions and behaviours that accompany society’s expectations.

Social and emotional learning at home

Social and emotional development starts in the home, where a child’s first and most important role models, their parents, are modelling the behaviours that they want to see in their children. In the home environment, parents should focus on teaching their children sharing, caring, affection and nurture. Children should be encouraged to say how they feel, be respectful, listen for understanding and empathy, caring not only for themselves but for the world around us. 

Young children look to their family members as role models. How we speak, how we interact, how we support and listen to our children has an incredible impact on their development, particularly in the key stages of early childhood development (ECD). Underpinning this is helping our children to eventually become independent, solution-driven, thinking adolescents and adults. 

Social and emotional development is providing children with a safe, non-confrontational space to express their emotions and unpack the overwhelming feelings they are trying to process. To gently guide and provide opportunities for them to develop positive behaviour and a positive image of themselves so that they grow into well-adjusted, socially conscious human beings.

EQ vs. IQ

You may have heard the saying, ‘EQ is equally as important as IQ’, if not more so. An unhappy child will struggle to learn. So it is equally as important to attend to the emotional well-being of a learner, as to their academic needs. Social-emotional learning should be integrated into every subject area as it is an integral part of us as human beings – developing self-awareness, self-control and interpersonal skills that are not only important for learning but also vital to succeed as adults in a workplace environment. 

Online social emotional learning course

CambriLearn offers an in-depth social emotional learning course to help children navigate these key developmental areas. The course is completed online through interactive lessons and group projects to help learners discover constructive ways to process their emotions and interact with others in a respectful way. 

In this course, students learn to: 

  • Recognise and practice character strengths, like curiosity, persistence, and collaboration.
  • Understand and manage their emotions, like fear and anger.
  • Work in a team, listen and appreciate each other.
  • Understand the consequences of their actions to others. 

Students who have completed the social emotional learning course with CambriLearn have shown improved: 

  • self-esteem and self-awareness
  • attitude and relationships
  • ability to cope with social and peer pressures
  • learning outcomes

16 Habits of Mind

The 16 Habits of Mind, originally developed by Art Costa and Bena Kallick, are “thinking dispositions that are committed to growing individuals who are more thoughtful, responsive, and innovative”. These 16 habits encourage students (and adults!) to have a positive growth mindset; to be persistent when faced with challenges; to respond with wonderment and awe to the world around them. When this framework is applied consistently and children are provided with opportunities to link the 16 habits to their everyday life, the habits will soon become second nature. These 16 habits or thinking dispositions essentially, lay the foundation for all social, emotional and cognitive behaviour.

Developing social-emotional skills is a crucial task that every person will face at some point in their life. By focusing on these skills as early as possible and systematically continuing learning through the school years, we provide our children with a critical toolset to navigate life successfully, happily, and healthily. 

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Here’s How Tax Relief for Neurodivergent Kids Actually Works

If you’re raising a neurodivergent child in South Africa, you’re already doing a lot.

Appointments. School meetings. Forms. “Can you just send that report again?” moments. The daily juggling act of home + school + therapy + life.

So when someone says, “You might be able to claim tax relief,” it can feel like one more admin mountain… right when you’re already running on fumes.

Here’s the good news: tax relief is available, and there’s a real framework designed to give families some breathing room.

The bad news is: it’s not always obvious how it works, and the internet is full of conflicting advice.

This guide will help you understand the basics without spiralling.

Tax relief is available in South Africa

South Africa’s tax system includes support for families who carry additional medical and care costs. The main mechanism is the Additional Medical Expenses Tax Credit (AMTC).

It’s not a cash payout. It’s a tax credit that reduces the amount of normal tax you pay.

For many families, it becomes a crucial “safety valve”, especially when you’re paying for the kind of support your child needs to function well in the real world.

Where neurodiversity fits into the SARS framework

SARS doesn’t have a neat category called “neurodivergence.”

Instead, conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and PDA are considered based on their functional impact, in other words, how much they limit day-to-day life.

For tax purposes, a “disability” is defined as a moderate to severe limitation in a person’s ability to function or perform daily activities (including learning, thinking, communicating).

If your child’s challenges create a moderate to severe limitation that is expected to last more than a year, your family may qualify for tax relief.

If the limitations are considered milder, the condition may fall under what SARS calls a “physical impairment.” (Despite the name, this category isn’t limited to physical conditions and can still apply in some neurodevelopmental contexts.) 

Relief may still be available, but often with different thresholds and limits.

The common misunderstanding that trips parents up

One of the biggest myths is:

“If I have the diagnosis, we automatically qualify.”

Not necessarily.

SARS looks at whether the condition remains a significant limitation even after what it calls “maximum correction” (including appropriate therapy, treatment, or medication).

Because every child is different, eligibility is assessed case by case. Two families can have the same diagnosis and still have different outcomes depending on how the condition impacts daily functioning.

Which is frustrating, yes.
But also: it’s why getting clarity early matters.

Why paperwork and medical confirmation matter (even if you hate admin)

The admin requirements can feel like adding weight to an already heavy load.

But they’re also the keys to unlocking tax relief.

A diagnosis label isn’t enough. You need formal medical confirmation from a registered practitioner who is trained to give an opinion on your child’s condition.

The key document is the ITR-DD form (Confirmation of Diagnosis of Disability).

Whether this form is required in your situation can depend on how your child’s needs are classified (which is exactly where many parents get stuck).

Important: you typically don’t submit the form with your annual return, but you must keep it, along with invoices and proof of payments, for at least five years. 

SARS often verifies these claims, so having your paperwork organised from the start protects you later.

Think of it like this: a few clicks to save documents today can save you hours of stress later.

You don’t have to figure it all out today

If this feels complex, you’re not meant to decode it alone in between lunchboxes and meltdowns.

So we created a simple starting point for parents:

✅ Download the tax relief cheat sheet at www.dalza.com/tax-relief-cheat-sheet/
 A clear summary of what you need to know (and what to gather), without the jargon.

Supporting a neurodivergent child requires enough time, energy, and emotional bandwidth as it is. Tax admin shouldn’t be another thing you have to white-knuckle your way through.

Start with the cheat sheet.
Get the lay of the land.
And take it one step at a time.

👉 Download the free tax relief cheat sheet at www.dalza.com/tax-relief-cheat-sheet/

Disclaimer:

This content is provided for general information purposes only. It is not intended as legal, tax, or financial advice. Tax outcomes depend on individual circumstances, and eligibility for tax relief is assessed by SARS on a case-by-case basis. We recommend consulting a registered tax practitioner or qualified professional before submitting any tax claims

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Supporting families facing bullying with a viable alternative 

The recent Milnerton High School incident has pushed a hard truth into the spotlight: for many children, bullying is unfortunately not a once-off event, but a daily reality. Parliamentary oversight members who visited the Milnerton school recently spoke of a “culture of bullying” in many schools across the country, and highlighted the absence of comprehensive anti-bullying policies and adequate psychosocial support – all concerns that resonate with many parents. 

At Impaq, we recognise that families should not have to choose between safety and learning. If a child’s wellbeing is at risk, home education provides a recognised pathway while keeping academic standards intact.  

“Children deserve to feel protected and confident in their learning environment in order to learn, and not have to worry about bullying or other issues they may face to be able to thrive,” says Louise Schoonwinkel, MD at Optimi Schooling, of which Impaq is a registered trademark. “This is why families explore various options, including home education and online schooling, to provide an environment that is conducive to learning.” 

What an alternative route changes practically 

A move to home or distance education changes three things at once: 

  • Environment: Learning takes place in the safety of the learner’s home. 
  • Structure: Impaq learners follow CAPS-aligned materials and planners, with moderated assessments and clear reporting
  • Support: Parents are not left to “figure it out” on their own. They partner with Impaq who provides support every step of the way. 

Social development still matters – here’s how it works 

A common misconception is that leaving a school campus means losing social growth. In practice, families curate safe social touchpoints such as community sport and arts, structured study groups, volunteering, or faith-based youth programmes. Impaq also celebrate big milestone events, and recently hosted two matric farewells for more than 600 home and online learners.  

Coping strategies 

Bullying has severe implications for your child’s mental health. If your child is struggling with anxiety issues, due to bullying, some coping strategies can help ease your child’s fears, including: 

  • drawing, painting or writing down their worries, 
  • encouraging exercise, 
  • engaging in meditation, 
  • seeking professional help, and 
  • considering alternative education options like homeschooling. 

“The aim isn’t to ‘opt out’ of education and take a child out of school immediately,” Schoonwinkel emphasises. “Rather, we advise families to choose a pathway that protects learning and dignity at the same time. When the environment improves, many families are so happy that they choose to stay and continue with homeschooling, while others choose to re-enter a mainstream school. Both are valid options – it just means that families at least feel they have options, they are not alone, and they don’t have to be stuck in a difficult situation.” 

A reassurance to families 

“If your child is in distress, you do not have to wait for an incident to occur before making the decision to home educate your child,” Schoonwinkel concludes. “Homeschooling is a credible, practical option, and for many families it has been the turning point. We see learners who chose an alternative mode of education regain stability, rebuild their confidence, and engage deeply with their work.” 

Explore alternative options to create a thriving environment for your child. Impaq’s registrations for 2026 are open – reach out to the team for more information. 

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Building Confidence, Creativity, and Community Through Music

At School of Rock, learning music isn’t about sitting still and memorising notes. It’s about movement, laughter, teamwork, and the thrill of making real music together. Our youth programs are carefully designed to meet kids where they are developmentally, while helping them grow in confidence, creativity, and independence.

Little Wing (Ages 3–5)

Little Wing is where the magic starts. This playful, high-energy program introduces our youngest musicians to music through games, movement, singing, and exploration. Kids clap, dance, play percussion, and learn the basics of rhythm and melody without even realising they’re learning. Along the way, they build coordination, listening skills, and social confidence, all while having a whole lot of fun.

Rookies (Ages 6–7)

Rookies is perfect for curious kids who are ready to try instruments but aren’t quite ready for a full band yet. Students get hands-on experience with guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and vocals, discovering what they love while learning essential musical skills. This program boosts confidence, focus, and independence, and sets students up for success as they move into band programs.

Rock 101 (Ages 8–12)

Rock 101 is where kids become bandmates. Students combine private lessons with group rehearsals, learning real rock songs and working together as a team. They develop musical skills, stage presence, and collaboration while preparing for live performances that give them a huge confidence boost. There’s nothing quite like seeing a child light up on stage after nailing their first show.

Why Parents Love School of Rock 

Beyond the music, our programs help kids develop life skills that last. They learn teamwork, discipline, communication, and resilience. Performing builds self-esteem, creativity fuels confidence, and being part of a band creates friendships and a strong sense of belonging.

At School of Rock, kids don’t just learn music. They find their voice, their confidence, and their inner rockstar 

Whether you or your child is picking up an instrument for the first time or expanding existing skills, our performance programmes provide inspiration, fun, and confidence through music. Please pop us an email at [email protected] or Whatsapp us on 074 322 2000 for more info and to book a FREE trial.  

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