How to Create a Warm and Friendly Classroom Environment

How to Create a Warm and Friendly Classroom Environment To create a friendly, non-threatening classroom environment, here are some  strategies gathered from seasoned educators who create a warm and welcoming environment for their students every day.   You can start on creating an environment that is conducive to learning and maximizing student social and academic growth in 10 easy steps: Greet your students each day with enthusiasm. Find something positive to say as much as possible or as much as time will allow for.Provide students with time to share happenings, events, or items with you.  Even if you set a certain time frame aside each day for 3-5 students to share, it will help to create a friendly, warm, and welcome environment. It shows them you care and it provides you with opportunities to learn about what is important about each of your students.Take the time on occasion to share something that is important to you. This could be the fact that your own child took their first steps or that you saw a wonderful play that you would like to share with your students. Your students will see you as a real and caring person. This type of sharing shouldnt be done every day but rather from time to time.Take time to talk about differences within the classroom. Diversity is everywhere and children can benefit from learning about diversity at a very early age. Talk about varying cultural backgrounds, body image, body types, talents, strengths, and weaknesses. Provide opportunities for your learners to share their strengths and weaknesses. The child who may not be able to run fast may be able to draw very well. These conversations always need to be held in a positive light. Understanding diversity is a lifelong skill children will always benefit from. It builds trust and acceptance in the classroom. Say no to all forms of bullying. There is no such thing as a welcoming, nurturing environment when there is tolerance for bullying. Stop it early and make sure all students know that they should report bullying. Remind them that telling on a bully is not tattling, it is reporting. Have a set of routines and rules that prevent bullying.Build activities into your day that support students working together and building rapport with one another. Small group work and team work with well-established routines and rules will help in developing a very cohesive environment.Focus on the strengths when calling upon a student. Never put down a child for not being able to do something, take some one-to-one time to support the child. When asking a child to demonstrate or respond to something, be sure that the child is in their comfort zone and always capitalize on the strengths. Showing sensitivity to each of your students is extremely important in protecting their confidence and self-esteem.Promot e two-way respect. I cant say enough about two-way respect. Adhere to the golden rule, always show respect and you will get it back in return. Take time to educate the class about specific disorders and disabilities. Role play helps to develop empathy and support among classmates and peers.Make a conscientious effort to promote confidence and self-esteem among every student in the classroom.  Give praise and positive reinforcement that is real and deserved often. The more that students feel good about themselves, the better they will be toward themselves and others.