Creating a Sense of Belonging
- Categories Motivational
- Date 03/09/2024
Creating a Sense of Belonging
Debbie-Sue Blanks | ACSI Assistant Director
He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” Mark 9:36-37
Wanting to belong is a basic human need. Think of your own experiences and how you felt when first going to a new school or starting a new job. Most of us have learned the skills needed to develop new relationships and to eventually fit in, but it takes time before we feel comfortable and settled. Think of the little ones you teach and how they must feel stepping into your classroom for the first time. They have the very same need to belong, but they don’t understand why they feel the way they do, nor do they have the skills to find ways to fit in, so it is up to you, the teacher, to create a safe space where they know they belong.
You must know your children if you are to help them belong. Start by investing in a relationship with their parents. This will help you learn more about them and the circumstances that might affect their emotions and behaviours. Make sure you interact warmly with their parents and ensure that the child sees you doing so. You are the “classroom parent” during the day and they need to know that their parents trust you in that role and that you both love and care for them.
The physical space will be home for your pre-school children during the day so give them personal space to store their things, post their drawings on the classroom walls and let them know that the classroom is their space too. A warm, inviting classroom will become a place of refuge from the rest of the school, a place where their things are, a place where you are – their place.
Their early feelings of belonging will form the basis of how they feel about school moving forward, their attitude toward learning and therefore their future academic success. They won’t remember what they learned in ECD, but they will remember how they felt so make sure they are loved and that they feel a sense of belonging with you.
By loving, caring, and welcoming the children and their parents into your classroom, you are welcoming Jesus and participating in the service of our King.