For most of us, August is when we start thinking about going back to school. It puts us in mind of the smell of new school supplies in children’s backpacks and freshly waxed floors in the hallways. The start of the school year is always full of discoveries: new teachers, new students, and new things to learn. The first few weeks of school are an important time for forging bonds that will last for the next ten months at least.
The benefits of a positive relationship between student and teacher
First and foremost, children need to be seen, heard, and valued. The quality of a student’s relationship with their teacher is intrinsically linked to their ability to learn. Young people who feel confident, at ease, and supported as their authentic selves are more likely to thrive.
As Hattie (2023) demonstrates in his research on visible learning, interactions between young people and their teachers have an effect size of 0.62 on their academic success. To put this into context, factors with an effect size above 0.4 are considered highly important for student success.
When children feel comfortable and free to be themselves, they can excel in both the academic and socio-emotional spheres. Bondy and her colleagues (2017) state that a supportive teaching environment helps students develop social skills, problem-solving abilities, and autonomy. Furthermore, showing them confidence in class makes them more likely to see a promising future for themselves.
While the student-teacher relationship benefits children in many ways, there are also advantages for the adult involved. First of all, positive relationships between students and teachers reduce behavioral problems in the younger grades. A sense of safety and a good rapport with the adult reduce the incidence of disruptive behavior. This is a major plus for educators, who can ensure that their class runs smoothly. Furthermore, studies show that developing positive relationships with students also enhances teachers’ interpersonal and professional skills.
HOW CAN THIS BE DONE?
Take an interest
Set aside moments to talk to your students. Ask them to tell you about how they’re doing, their likes and dislikes, their family, etc. The most important thing is to show interest when listening to them. They need to feel that your attention is sincere and you genuinely care about them.
Of course, the days go by fast and the workload teaching professionals face is immense, making this an added challenge. That being said, simple gestures can go a long way: welcome your students at the classroom door in the morning, greet them individually, smile at them, say goodbye at the end of the day, etc. A study by Allday and Pakurar (2007) shows that greeting children by their first names at the door and saying something positive about them increases their engagement in the tasks assigned to them right from the first moments of the day.
If it doesn’t feel natural for you to have spontaneous conversations with your students, you could choose a different child every day and aim to talk to them for two minutes. With this approach, you should eventually get the chance to speak to everyone, even the shyest.
In the gym, our Mööd and Vöte utilities are particularly useful for checking in with your group and coming up with activities that encourage interesting discussions! Mööd gives you insight into your students’ emotional states. You can use it at the beginning and end of the period to see if your class has had a positive impact. Mööd can also be used for specific activities. That way, you can see which students have a positive reaction when the activity is announced and which are more apprehensive. As a result, you’ll be able to give them more support.
Make room for choices
Getting to know your students will help you set up projects that are both motivating and fun for them. Another way to engage them is to offer choices wherever possible. It’s widely known that people like to have a measure of control over what they do. Having a say will make your students feel that you trust them and their judgment.
With Vöte, you can use Lü’s premade surveys or create your own to get to know your students better and let them choose which activities to do. For example, you can offer a choice of two or three activities that work on the same skill and let your group decide. It’s win-win!
Be fair
Your students need to believe that they have access to the same opportunities as all of their peers, regardless of their skill level and affinity with you. Of course, some are easier to connect with than others, but everyone should have an equal opportunity to forge that precious bond. Another way to demonstrate fairness is to familiarize yourself with your students’ learning styles and offer a range of teaching strategies that meet everyone’s needs.
Create a safe and respectful environment
Learning requires students to take risks. Children need to feel safe trying, making mistakes, and trying again. They should also feel comfortable enough to speak up when they don’t understand. Here, your attitude will make all the difference. If your responses are caring and constructive, your students won’t be ashamed of making mistakes, and they will be respectful when their peers do the same. They will be better equipped to embrace every opportunity to improve.
”“Teaching and learning should bring joy. How powerful would our world be if we had kids who were not afraid to take risks, who were not afraid to think, and who had a champion? Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.”
Rita Piersonteacher, educational consultant, and assistant principal
