Nadia Buckus
Build supportive relationships in the classroom
As human beings, the most important factor for our survival is supportive relationships. But trauma and adversity can disrupt the development of the important bonds that children need, to reach their full potential.
To support children and teens exposed to trauma and adversity, we can demonstrate alternative working models of relationships by building social trust.
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While a warm and supportive classroom environment is beneficial to all learners, for those who are exposed to trauma and adversity, it’s a necessity. Educators can make efforts to get to know each learner individually, their strengths and challenges. They can pay special attention to the classroom social network, promote positive peer relationships, and teach and reinforce kindness and respect while avoiding competitive situations that create social hierarchies.
Educators can build relationships with learners by practising a mind shift – one that focuses on learners’ strengths rather than their weaknesses.
Instead of asking yourself: “What’s wrong with him?” when a learner exhibits difficulties, ask yourself: “What happened to him and how did he learn to adapt to it?”
Reframing in this way will help you to understand where he is coming from and how best to help him. Educators need to understand that exposure to trauma often impairs self-awareness, self-regulation, and perspective taking, which interferes with these learners’ ability to understand or explain the reasons for their behaviour.
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If educators can move away from blame, and provide warmth, empathy, and a respect for learners’ strengths, it will go a long way toward building positive relationships in the classroom.
To be continued.
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