Imagine Jordan, a passionate teacher who loves his job and the bright young minds he nurtures every day. However, he finds himself caught in a constant struggle. The classroom feels like a place where he is more a behavior manager than an educator. He often spends precious teaching hours addressing emotional needs and behaviors, leaving him feeling like he isn’t making the academic impact he had envisioned. This story is not unique, and many educators face similar challenges.

There are ways to address lost academic time without compromising the emotional well-being of students. Here are some practical strategies to help you create an environment where academic achievement and emotional growth go hand-in-hand.

Allowing Space for Emotions

Emotions can be complex, and sometimes, students (like adults) need space and time to process their feelings. It’s essential to create an environment where students are allowed to feel and express emotions. Establishing a safe word or hand signal to signify the need for personal space or a minute can help. After everyone has had time to reflect, addressing the behavior becomes more effective. This approach allows everyone to cool off, identify their feelings, and reflect on their actions or responses.

Building an Emotional Vocabulary

One of the keys to expressing emotions effectively is having the vocabulary to describe them. For students, this means introducing them to new emotion words and incorporating them into their daily lives. This can be done by making emotion words part of everyday vocabulary and encourages students to use these words to express themselves—facilitating better communication and support for all.

Making Emotional Connections

As adults, it is vital to connect with students on an emotional level. Sharing how we feel helps build trust and emotional connections. By demonstrating it’s okay to express our feelings, we set an example for our students. In a society that often discourages emotional expression, we need to find a balance between internal processing and external expression, and we can help teach our students this balance.

Showcasing Vulnerability and Acceptance

Creating a psychologically safe environment where all emotions are accepted is crucial. This involves dispelling the stigma attached to “negative” emotions. Educators must lead by example, demonstrating that emotions are part of being human and entirely acceptable—emotions that are both pleasant and uncomfortable. By showing vulnerability and acceptance, we help students understand that their feelings are safe to express.

Connecting Emotions to Learning

To make emotional awareness a part of everyday life, educators can connect emotions to what students are learning. For example, while reading a story in class, students can express the emotions they would feel if they were a character. This process helps normalize the identification and expression of emotions. It’s also valuable to have students identify their emotions before taking tests, which can aid in emotional regulation and stress management.

Addressing External Influences

In today’s technologically connected world, students are exposed to an abundance of information about what’s happening in their communities and globally. When students discuss these events, it presents an opportunity to have open discussions about their feelings. This allows educators to gain insights into how external influences may be affecting their students emotionally.

Nurturing emotional intelligence in students is a crucial aspect of a child’s development and well-being. By understanding their emotions, allowing space for feelings, building their emotional vocabulary, making emotional connections, showcasing vulnerability, connecting emotions to learning, and addressing external influences, educators can not only respond, but contribute to the emotional growth and overall success of their students.

Interested in learning more about how to manage emotions in high-stress situations? View our on-demand 30 minute webinar Big Emotions: Reacting vs. Responding