Creating a safe Learning Environment in the Classroom

“Psychological safety is a belief that one will not be punished  or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns or mistakes”- Amy Edmondson

A Safe Classroom Environment is where the learners feel socially, physically and emotionally secure.They know that their needs are being met and that they are in safe hands of caring and nurturing teachers. Children learn well when they feel safe and secure.

Class Cleanliness

Some educators strive to create a safe environment for their students in the classroom which may include Physical Safety -emphasizing on cleanliness of the classroom. Of course there is a certain amount of mess with fun learning like art & craft and other activities.

Classroom arrangement

Secondly, working on the arrangement style of the classroom. Some of the common configurations are Traditional rows and columns, Horseshoe or U-shaped which supports peer-to-peer and teacher-student interaction or cluster arrangement that ensures collaboration within the peer group. It helps in movements of children in the classroom. Teachers can build in time for exercise and movements in class in order to break the monotony, it can even include dancing activities for a few minutes for younger students.

Ownership and Responsibility

Display students work on the soft boards to instill a sense of ownership. This brings an experience of comfort more than the ones created by teachers or bought. 

Acknowledge the Grudges

Acknowledge the differences between children and try to reduce hard feelings between them.

This would avoid displeasure between the students and the joy of looking forward is carried on

Good vibes are influential in the positive learning environment of a child. Hence, the teacher must keep a check on peer-relationship and instill acceptance and tolerance for each other.

Write Notes 

Notes written in the school diaries, exercise books or the assessment papers by the teacher hold great value for the student. It can be a feedback on handwriting, tips to do well in exam , appreciating the child etc

Simple Examples like: 

Naomika, you need to work on your presentation skills.

 Param, I am glad you have done well in your test.

Or Neervi, you need to frame better sentences.

Smile Often

Don’t always be dotting

There should be times when the children should be left to solve the problems. Let the children bring the problems as well as the solution. Being guarded all the time will not let them take initiative to be able to solve their problems. With this, the students must also know what non-negotiables are. Putting down the ground rules clearly can help them know the clear expectation from them.

Make them feel safe to express

They feel safe to express their feelings and different emotions or they may even feel supported and safe. The role of the educator is to make certain that children in the classroom feel emotionally safe. The child will not only be able to express well but also gain confidence as he knows that he will not be punished or humiliated for speaking in front of the class. Encourage children to ask questions and allow them to come up with ideas. The job of the teacher is to get the child from an anxiety zone to a comfortable zone. Instill in children that IT IS OK to mess up or goof up and that no one is judging them but at the same time making sure that we give constructive feedback. This is what will allow the students to feel safe and ready to learn.

Quick Tips: 

• Smile Often
• Assign task and responsibilities
• Keep working on the classroom arrangement to provide the best learning
• Keep the Vibes Good
• Laugh with students
• Discuss the expectations in the beginning
• Positive reinforcement 

How do you create a safe learning environment? Please share your thoughts and ideas with us.

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