Connecting School and Afterschool With Shared Practices

TL;DR

Consistency and a whole child approach in education are essential for productive learning, creating a safe and supportive environment for students.

Transcript

Darling-Hammond: Consistency is really important for child development and for productive learning. The more consistency we have, the more the child understands what's going on in the world around them, the more they can free up their brain from anxiety and really engage in learning. In Tacoma, what you see is a whole child approach with children... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Consistency in cues and expectations leads to improved engagement and understanding in learning.
• 👶 The whole child approach prioritizes the safety, engagement, health, support, and challenges of students.
• ❓ Establishing a common vocabulary and intentional communication is important in creating a unified educational community.
• 🧑‍🎓 Mindfulness practices and zones of regulation help students regulate their emotions and take responsibility for their well-being.
• 👨‍🏫 Onsite liaisons and alignment between school and out-of-school time deepen the practices and bridge the gap between different educational spaces.
• 🧑‍🎓 Community circles provide opportunities for students to share and connect with their peers.
• 🙈 Warm greetings create a welcoming environment for students, making them feel seen and known.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is consistency important for child development and learning?

Consistency provides a stable and predictable environment, reducing anxiety and allowing children to focus on learning. It helps them understand expectations and the world around them.

Q: What is the whole child initiative?

The whole child initiative recognizes that children learn 24/7 and emphasizes the importance of adults coming together in a unified manner to support students' safety, engagement, health, support, and challenges.

Q: How can a common vocabulary be established in an educational community?

Establishing a common vocabulary requires intentional communication and cannot happen naturally. It involves consistent and intentional efforts to ensure everyone is on the same page and can effectively work together.

Q: How does the whole child approach support students in regulating their emotions?

The use of zones of regulation and mindfulness practices allows students to acknowledge and regulate their emotions. It gives them tools and strategies to regulate emotions when they are not in the optimal "green zone."

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Consistency in cues and expectations helps children understand and engage in learning, reducing anxiety.

• The whole child initiative ensures that students are safe, engaged, healthy, supported, and challenged throughout the day.

• Implementing a common vocabulary, intentional communication, and gradual changes are key to creating a unified and supportive educational community.