Building Trusting Relationships
Overview
Building positive and trusting relationships with learners fosters a Sense of Belonging, safety, and engagement, laying the groundwork for academic, cognitive, and social-emotional growth. Supportive student-teacher relationships form the foundation for classroom learning by fostering student engagement and Motivation, while also enhancing Creativity and Critical Thinking by encouraging students to explore new ideas in a safe and supportive environment. When teachers model trust and mutual respect, children develop a Learner Mindset, becoming more Curious, resilient, and open to challenges. Additionally, trust is essential in cultivating Civic-mindedness, as early experiences with fairness, collaboration, and shared responsibility shape students' understanding of community and ethical decision-making. This approach is especially critical for students from diverse backgrounds or those who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), as trust serves as a stabilizing force that supports culturally responsive teaching.
Example: Use This Strategy In in the Classroom
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Factors Supported by this Strategy
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