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.