How to create a healthy environment in your classroom
Introduction
A classroom is not just a place where students go to learn academics, but it’s a place where they learn manners, responsibility, conflict resolution, and respect. Hence, that is why classrooms have the power to transform children, both emotionally and academically.
As a matter of fact, the classroom learning environment is a dynamic social system that includes the behavior of students and teachers.
So, if you’re a teacher looking to create a healthy and happy learning environment in your classroom, we’ve got you covered.
What factors contribute to making a healthy environment in a classroom?
The factors listed below play a vital role in creating a healthy environment in a classroom.
Culturally relevant lessons
The students need to understand and be a part of the lessons. Having content and resources with a focus similar to students’ cultural experiences or backgrounds allows them to indulge more in the curricula.
Not just that, but the resources and lessons that resonate with the students tend to motivate them more and increase their understanding, ultimately creating a healthier environment.
Safety
Safety is a prime factor in creating a healthy classroom environment, as the students need to know that no harm will come their way. However, this isn’t just limited to physical safety but also emotional safety, as students should feel accepted for who they are.
Besides that, the classroom should be kept clean, and the students should access all the necessary materials. Moreover, it is also vital that the routines and protocols are in place, so the students know what to expect in the class.
Inclusive setting
An inclusive setting means students must feel that they are part of the group. The classroom, which includes the teacher, fellow students, and the overall environment, should give off a welcoming vibe.
You should include all activities regardless of ethnicity, religious background, gender, and race. Additionally, the students should be taught to have a vested interest in each other and understand each other.
Five practical ways that can help you create a healthy classroom environment
We know teachers struggle to develop a healthy classroom environment, so we have listed some of the most effective ways to help.
- Creating a shared vision
Being a teacher, you may have a certain kind of vision for the type of environment you wish to create in your classroom. However, that vision may or may not align with your students. Therefore, it is essential to take the time to talk and discuss with the students how they would like the classroom climate to be.
In this shared discussion, explain your vision for the class to the students and then have all of them tell their vision so that you can come up with a shared vision together. It will help in creating a healthy and comfortable classroom environment.
- Maintaining the right temperature and air quality
Understandably, it will be hard for anyone to focus and do their best when sweating or shivering due to poorly regulated temperatures.
Warm and stuffy rooms tend to make people drowsy. In contrast, a chilly environment may make the students uncomfortable and cause difficulties performing at their optimal level. Therefore, you can talk to the school management and get the roof assessed and upgrade the HVAC system.
Also, poor air quality can have severe consequences and even cause breathing difficulties. Hence, checking the vents and letting fresh air circulate through the classrooms is essential.
- Making and putting up anti-bullying posters
A fun activity you can arrange for the students is to create anti-bullying posters, which you can put up on the walls of the classroom. It gives the students a chance to engage in something beneficial for their personality growth.
You can customize or even get some incredibly designed classroom and anti-bullying posters from sites like PosterMyWall. Not only will these make the task significantly more accessible, but you’ll also save time and effort.
- Addressing the needs of students
Don’t confuse this with creating a shared vision, as that requires the collaboration of students and teachers. However, here you, as a teacher, will have to act responsibly and address the needs of students.
It is essential to know that, like adults, students also tend to have physical and psychological needs for love and belonging, personal power and competence, and freedom and novelty.
When the teachers address such needs in the classroom, students feel happy to be there. It will also result in fewer behavior incidents and increased student learning and engagement.
- Greeting the students every day
When students enter the classroom, it will be a great thing if you greet them at the door. Other than responding to the greeting, you can also instruct them to make eye contact with you and make certain gestures like a handshake, a high five, or a fist bump. It will create a friendly classroom environment and make every student encounter at least one positive human contact daily.
Summing up
Creating a healthy classroom environment doesn’t have to be a difficult job. You must keep in mind to take care of all the students in the class and to take care of yourself as well. We hope our list of ways helps you achieve your goal of creating a healthy classroom environment.