Teacher Relationships

Children spend a significant time of the day with their teachers. Teachers have a direct influence on children’s academic and social growth, development, and success. It is important to foster and improve student-teacher relationships within the classroom. Positive student-teacher relationships have benefits such as higher levels of academic achievement, better classroom climate, and increased social skills. 

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First, it is important for teachers to know and better connect with their students. Second, spend time with each individual student to collaborate on overcoming challenges and solving problems. Children take notice of their teacher’s interactions and may model positive or negative behavior. Strategies to use in the classroom such as deep breathing and emotion regulation are beneficial for children.

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Additional ways to cultivate positive student-teacher relationships in the classroom is being culturally responsive and providing children with meaningful feedback and nurturing growth mindsets. This aids in creating a positive classroom climate and increasing respectful interactions. 

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Positive student-teacher relationships have a long-lasting impact on children’s growth and development. This is most especially true for children who are at risk. High quality relationships can be a predictor for classroom adjustment, social skills, and reading performance. Responsive teachers provide children with high emotional support and this increases behavioral self-control and lower levels of aggression.

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In conclusion, it is essential for children to have positive relationships with their teachers. Teachers have a direct influence on their students and are a part of their academic and social-emotional growth and development. Children are aware of their teachers' positive and negative interactions and model behavior. Positive strategies used in the classroom can aid in classroom climate and higher academic achievement for students.