15 tips for creating a safe learning environment
As an educator, you have the ultimate responsibility to
shape young minds. Part of this responsibility is setting the daily tone for
your students so they feel safe and comfortable so they can focus on learning.
A safe learning environment goes beyond the classroom; it's an intangible space
that supports your students' pursuit of knowledge, sparks curiosity, and makes
them feel empowered to engage in class discussions. Creating this kind of safe
learning environment in the classroom is essential to serving a wide range of
student learning styles.
There are three main factors that affect the learning environment of your students:
Physical: Deciding how the learning environment is
physically arranged and designed to support student safety and learning.
Psychological: Creating a trusting learning environment that
allows students to engage, ask questions, take risks and receive constructive
feedback.
Emotional: Celebrating diversity, self-expression and
student achievement.
Continue reading for 15 tips for creating a safe learning
environment in your classroom.
1. Hold a regular morning meeting
The morning meeting model is a classroom exercise where
teachers begin each day with a whole-class meeting designed to address
students' emotional needs. Adding a morning meeting to your class schedule
helps set the tone for you and your students, creates feelings of trust, helps
students feel important, inspires empathy and collaboration among students, and
promotes emotional and academic learning.
2. Provide a safe space for students
The classroom should be a 100% safe space for all students.
Some of your students may come from a tumultuous home environment and school is
one of their few escapes, so it is important that you make it the refuge these
students need. One way to do this is to consistently monitor bullying and fire
each case. This allows all students to feel comfortable and able to learn and
express themselves.
3. Adapt to every class: One size does not fit all
It's no secret that the school system favors some learning
styles over others. In a world of expansive learning experiences, you have the
responsibility and privilege to meet the needs of your students. An effective
way to do this is to simply ask your students how they would like to learn. To accommodate
different learning styles, it is important to offer choice rather than provide
a one-size-fits-all method.
4. Develop a culture of representation
Students come in all colors, shapes, and sizes—and they all
deserve a sense of belonging in the classroom. Historically, marginalized
groups of students have been underrepresented in academic spaces, leading to
lower graduation rates. By creating a culture of diversity, inclusion, and
belonging in your classroom, you can set each of your students up for success.
5. Celebrate achievements and work on the asset model
The asset model values students for what they bring to the
classroom rather than characterizing them based on what they
lack or need to work on. Implementing this approach in your
classroom means celebrating your students' wins big and
small. Positive reinforcement is also a big part of this
classroom approach. By praising your students' strengths, you
help them build confidence over time.
6. Build trusting relationships
It is very important to create trusting relationships with
your students. A study by the American Psychological Association found that
teachers who develop positive relationships with their students create a
classroom atmosphere that supports learning and better meets students'
developmental, emotional, and academic needs. Providing positive reinforcement
and celebrating the unique qualities of your students through an asset model
helps build these trusting relationships.
7. Read and write with your students
The more you read and write with your students, the more
vocabulary they will learn and the better they will communicate. Studies show
that students with advanced reading and writing skills are better at critical
thinking and have access to more opportunities. Prioritizing these things in
your curriculum will give your students the ability to solve interpersonal
problems and express themselves throughout life.
8. Create a judgment-free zone
It's important to make your classroom a judgment-free zone
so students can focus on learning instead of worrying about being accepted by
their classmates. You should set aside time each week to break the ice and open
up discussions for students to get to know each other.
9. Incorporate music
The benefits of incorporating music into your lesson plan
are numerous. When used in the classroom, it has been shown to reduce anxiety
and stress, help students regulate their emotions, improve focus, and help
children process language.
10. Smile often
As a teacher, you will have students who will look to you
for reassurance and guidance. When you smile, it can give students a sense of
ease and a sense of security. Smiling also makes you more likeable, which can
help build trusting and positive relationships with your students.
11. Create supportive classroom environments
Creating supportive learning environments provides a
foundation for emotional, physical, and academic health. You should work with
students to brainstorm parameters for creating a supportive, active learning
environment. When students can count on you to foster this kind of environment,
they can focus on learning and expressing themselves freely.
12. Stay calm
There are many times when the classroom environment can be
hectic or stressful. One common example is when two students get into a heated
argument. It is important that you help resolve the conflict between students
calmly so that two students can defuse the tension and the other students are
not upset by the situation. As with all other moments in the classroom, your
tone will dictate your behavior.
13. Respect differences
You can respect your students' differences by treating each
one fairly and recognizing their unique needs. If you must reprimand a student,
do so in private so as not to embarrass or humiliate the student in front of
his or her classmates. Also, be aware of the spectrum of cultures represented
in your classroom so you can respect your students accordingly. As a classroom
leader, you can provide input for your students by modeling respectful language
when speaking to and about students.
14. Respect their space
Everyone has a different personal bubble. If you want to
err, make sure you maintain a safe physical distance from each of your students
and allow them to define their personal space. You should also practice
respecting their privacy. Some students will feel more comfortable sharing
their personal information than others.
15. Make mistakes a learning opportunity
As a teacher, you have the power to mark your students'
mistakes as learning opportunities. By painting mistakes in a positive light,
you remove the shame of mistakes, allowing your students to learn. When a
student makes a mistake, you should review what went wrong and provide the
student with resources, knowledge, and tools to improve.
By creating a positive and trusting classroom environment,
teachers can provide their students with the safety and
support they need for academic, personal and professional
development.
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