Creating a sense of belonging for children in preschool is important for them during their learning journey. It needs to be cultivated and nurtured right from the start. The child should feel like they belong in your classroom right at the beginning. This can help them to feel comfortable and help them thrive throughout the year.
The sense of belonging can greatly impact children throughout their life. Not just it reflects on a student’s academic achievements but also their overall well-being and later as adults. A sense of belonging can acknowledge children’s independence from others and shape who they are and can become. A child learns and develops a sense of identity through what they gone through. As they try new things, learn, and play, they will develop an understanding of their own identity.
The sense of belonging to a place reflects why a place is special and unique. It can reflect how children are attached to a group and how each develops a sense of belonging. You will want to start by making your classroom inclusive and inviting. Here are some tips to help children to feel like they belong to your preschool.
The Importance Of Sense Of Belonging
Children spend most of their time in school. A sense of belonging can support students through their vulnerable time in school, forming their identity and developing psychosocial skills. Also, they will be influenced by their peers.
If the children can build a sense of belonging in school, it can shape their future interactions, achievement, relationships, and ability to function. They can also adjust on a psychosocial level and later as they enter adulthood.
Research shows that children’s sense of belonging in school is linked to their emotional and physical well-being. They can also perform better in academics and achieve better achievements.
A child with a sense of belonging will likely be more optimism, self-efficacy, self-esteem, self-concept, and sociability. It can reduce the likelihood of mental health problems and promote resilience when difficulties arise.
Boost Sense of Belonging #1 – Create A Positive Peer Culture Of Belonging
When it comes to a sense of belonging, one factor that affects it is peer groups. A sense of belonging in school can be contagious.
Schools that pay attention to the sense of belonging create a culture where a sense of belonging is the norm. They offer activities and events that promote the school’s values which are usually well-attended.
The school will need supportive leaders who can communicate the value of a sense of belonging. They should have a culture that promotes it. It would help if you created the environment from the day children start school, which is important.
Teaching students social and emotional skills can help to contribute to a culture of belonging. It allows students to develop skills that foster a sense of belonging for themselves and others at school.
Boost Sense of Belonging #2 – Create an Inviting and Safe Space
When the children step foot into your preschool, they should feel a sense of belonging. Creating a safe and supportive space can help them feel like they belong. It can be easy to create a comfortable space within your classroom.
For example, you can set up a quiet space where children can go to unwind. Each child should have their own space within their desk, which can help them feel more in control and at ease. You can put student work and accomplishments on classroom walls, such as drawings or artwork. There are many ways to create an inviting space and let students know they belong.
It’s also important to create a safe space in the classroom for children. It should be a space where children are encouraged to try and fail. It should also be one where being yourself is a priority. This type of environment helps children feel like they belong. They are also safe to grow, try new things, and dream without fear. Encouraging and celebrating each other builds up a sense of belonging and will push your students toward new and exciting things.
Boost Sense of Belonging #3 – Cultivate Community Within The Classroom
Let the children feel like they are one team, like a family. It can help boost their sense of belonging—set standards and expectations on the very first day. Let children know everyone will be treated fairly and included in all activities.
You wouldn’t want any bullying to happen in your preschool, so create an environment that does not tolerate bullying. Besides that, you can also encourage students to stand up for one another. Let the children know they have a voice and are part of something bigger than themselves. Let them know that they are not alone.
You can also get children involved in helping you create the core values and ground rules for your classroom. By having them help create the rules of the classroom, you will create an inclusive atmosphere and a great sense of belonging. Allowing them to create something together will connect them and provide a sense of belonging.
Boost Sense of Belonging #4 – Take An Interest
Children are usually curious at a young age, and they may have lots of interests. They are usually excited to share their hobbies and interests, or even what happens to them, with anyone who will listen. Connecting can take an interest in them and what they do.
You will want to check in with the children regularly. You can include school work, life at home, or anything happening to them. Most of the time, children like a little show and tell now and then. Teachers are children’s biggest allies, and you will want to create a wondering student-teacher bond. This is important for finding belonging in the class.
Here are some tips to boost the sense of belonging of the children. With the lack of sense of belonging, children tend to miss school, misbehaves, and are at greater risk of school-based violence. They are also more likely to experience mental illness, such as anxiety and depression. To create an environment that allows the children to feel where they belong.
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