Social interactions between teachers and students: A study addressing associations and predictions1

Abstract

Interactions between teachers and students impact children’s academic and social learning. This study’s objective was to identify associations and predictions between variables concerning social educational skills, negative educational practices, behavior problems and the social skills of students differentiated by schooling, clinical indicators of behavior problems, and gender. A total of 283 children and their teachers from the public schools participated in the study, who answered questionnaires and participated in a semi-structured interview. Correlation and regression statistical analysis were performed. All the groups presented positive correlations between social educational skills, children’s social skills, negative educational practices, and behavior problems. Behavior problems and social skills presented predictive values among preschoolers. The aforementioned variables, together with positive and negative educational practices, presented predictive values among school children. The conclusion is that teachers can be a protective factor for children’s development, but this requires planning.