Positive learning environments support the developmental needs of students not only academically but also socially and personally. These are places, such as classrooms, where children feel comfortable with themselves, safe amongst their peers and motivated to learn.
Since students are unique individuals and come from a variety of backgrounds and experience, a positive environment may not occur naturally but require careful nurturing from the teacher or adult in charge. Rules and expectations that promote positive learning environments in the classroom are a way to help create an environment of respect and learning.
Expectations that Promote Positive Learning Environments
Rules and expectations stated with positive language are a first step to creating a positive environment for learning. These rules should be applied fairly to all and be achievable for the age group. An expectation that students will “raise a hand if in need of assistance” is positive when compared to informing students that they “do not call out answers.”
Using rules and expectations to promote a positive learning environment means making sure all students are aware of these rules. In some situations, students in the class might be involved in creating the rules, thus providing a sense of ownership in the classroom environment. Other situations might call for the rules to be stated clearly and then an activity or game used to make sure each child understands them.
Rules the Classroom Teacher Should Follow
Rebecca Schauffele emphasizes that the source of a positive learning environment is the teacher or adult at the center of the learning. Students know that they should follow classroom rules, but will also quickly adapt to the teacher’s enforcement of those rules as much as the teacher’s personality and behavior.
Sometimes it is the little things that promote a positive behavior. Making eye contact with children and knowing their names, or stating something positive about an incorrect response before correcting it, shows children that they are important. Providing students with options, whether it be to ask young children in a class to vote as to whether to do math before or after lunch or giving each child a choice for how to creatively display a favorite scene from a book, empowers them and provides a sense of personal security. A teacher being upbeat about students and learning can also encourage both respect and a desire to learn.
The benefits to a positive environment are powerful. It provides students a place where they can be safe, respected and grow academically and personally. This is nurtured and encouraged by the teacher or adults through rules and expectations placed both on the students and the teacher.
Reference: Schauffele, Rebecca "Setting the Tone For a Positive Learning Environment." Setting The Tone For A Positive Learning Environment. EzineArticles.com.
Join the Conversation