As I blogged about recently on my professional blog, I’m feeling many different ways as we begin to roll out the Epic Small Group plan at one of my schools. The one element that I didn’t explicitly discuss in this post is my Self-Reg thinking.
Contemplating Relationships First
Since I’ve been at this school for a couple of years now, I know many of the students there. I worked with most of the students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 last year, and I will be working with many of the same ones again. Having this relationship with kids will help a lot when it comes to small group instruction. This year though, we got many new students in Kindergarten. While I know some of the Kindergarten students that I will be supporting, I do not know others, and this is worrying me. Will we need to have a relationship first in order to support the trust and risk-taking needed as part of this learning experience?
If The Answer Is “Yes” …
I’m assuming that the answer to my question about is, “yes,” so if it is, then what? As I planned for next week, I contemplated relationships and Self-Reg, especially when considering these new Kindergarten kids.
- What if I plan to enter their play instead of remove them to join mine?
- How might I incorporate some of my targeted instruction into their play?
- How can I observe quietly at first and then enter quietly too?
- Knowing that sensory experiences calm many of these learners, what sensory items can I bring with me? What role can they play in my targeted instruction?
- How might I invite other students to join us in the learning, knowing that some other kids in the class help co-regulate some of the kids that I’m going to be supporting? How can I modify the learning to meet their needs as well?
Now What?
I have some ideas as well as a few provocations to hopefully help with this relationship building. It’s now almost the end of October, and I want to maximize the learning time for this year, but I think that I also have to give myself a little grace to take the time needed to connect with the students first. Maybe I can even join some of these students for lunch this week to help build relationships in a different setting and at a different time. It’s interesting how even in a role where literacy instruction encompasses most of my thinking and learning time, Self-Reg still becomes an essential consideration. Do you find the same? How have your thoughts around Self-Reg impacted on your programming choices? I would love to hear more as I contemplate how to best connect with these new young learners.
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14 Comments
With the few students I work with, I try my best to have that trusting relationship with them. I think it is very important in doing so because then they know that they have that person who is there that they can trust.
Thanks Tan! I agree with you. How do you help build these relationships with kids?
Aviva
Trusting Relationship is key with the students we work with. I take time to get to know them,their likes and dislikes and build on that. First thing I do is find out if there is a game they like to play and we play that game during free choice. Ket them teach me how to play.This builds there self esteem and is a great icebreaker. Helps them relax and gives us time to get to know each other.
Thanks for sharing! It’s great to hear about how you develop these connections with kids. What impact do you notice by making these choices? It would be great to hear more.
Aviva
Building relationships with the children in the classes I work in has always been one of my key focuses. I build these relationships commenting on their work or noticing if they are wearing something new, or if they got their hair cut. Sharing something funny that happened or that I did over the weekend has made working with my student so much easier and successful. I’m a true believer in leading by example .
Thanks for sharing this! I love the different ways that you build relationships. What impact do you see by doing so?
Aviva
Trusting and building relationships with students is the key.
Thanks Baljit! I agree. How do you go about doing this? I would love to hear more.
Aviva
A very useful and informative article. I like how it focused on building relationships first, especially with new students. Joining their play instead of pulling them out is a really nice approach. It shows care and understanding of Self-Reg. I also like of idea of giving yourself permission to slow down and build connections first. That part feels very genuine. Sometimes we rush into teaching, but this article is a reminder that relationships are the base, and that’s important.
Thanks for the comment, Nikita! Thinking about these topics, is there anything that you might change and/or add to anything that you’re doing now. I would love to hear.
Aviva
building a relationships first it is very important while working with the kids, they need to know us better and try to build a relationships.
Thanks for your comment, Magali! I absolutely believe that this is so important. What are some ways that you help build relationships first?
Aviva
I liked the focus on building relationships first before expecting learning. I also agree that joining children in their play can help them feel more comfortable and supported. The connection between Self-Reg and learning was explained really well.
Thanks Sara! I’d be curious to hear other ways that people build relationships with and among students.
Aviva