We know that school connectedness creates resilient children. How can you start making connections now? Roger Klein, a TLC faculty member, trainer and co-author of Ready… Set… R.E.L.A.X., shared this strategy with us. The beginning of the school year is great time to implement it!
First, either list the names of or place photographs of every child in your school, grade or classroom on the walls of the school cafeteria or gymnasium. Then, invite all staff members (not only teachers) and consistent parent helpers to walk around the room and place a sticker or check mark next to every child’s name or photograph with whom they feel they have a connection. Afterwards, identify kids who are without connections or have little connections and assign a few staff members to each of these children. Encourage staff to make a point to say hello and greet these kids as often as they can during the school year. Almost everyday is ideal. The goal is to make every child feel like an adult, or several adults, notice them and are excited to see them in class, in the hallway, or at school events. The kids with little or no adult connections are the ones who need connections most. The caring adults in your school are the perfect people to help increase the overall school connectedness that children experience.
