My classroom can get LOUD.
There are lots of reasons why, of course. Sometimes, it's the repeated crashing of block towers being built and then knocked down. Other times, it's a symphony of percussion instruments or the mighty roar of a very convincing dinosaur.
And sometimes - dare I say most of the time? - it's our feelings that get loud.
My neighboring colleagues good-naturedly tease me about it, and I know they're right. We are loud.
But I had a realization this week. I work hard to create a classroom culture where all feelings are ok. I hear myself saying it every day.
"It's ok to feel sad."
"It's ok to feel scared."
"It's ok to feel angry."
Doesn't it follow, then, that all of those feelings would be a presence in our shared space? All the crying, the shouting, the kicking. Perhaps I can look at the loudness of my classroom, as challenging as it can be sometimes, as a sign that my students feel safe in expressing their feelings; evidence that they know they will be loved, no matter how they feel. I will keep them safe as those feelings are expressed, and I will help them find healthy ways to express them, but the feelings themselves are always welcome.
Adults cry.
Adults shout.
Adults need time and space to themselves.
So do children.
If we are truly committed to helping children develop positive social/emotional skills, then we need to do just that - let them develop those skills. That gets loud.
Let's work together to make schools that can open the door.
Let's help each other welcome the feelings into our spaces.
There are lots of reasons why, of course. Sometimes, it's the repeated crashing of block towers being built and then knocked down. Other times, it's a symphony of percussion instruments or the mighty roar of a very convincing dinosaur.
And sometimes - dare I say most of the time? - it's our feelings that get loud.
My neighboring colleagues good-naturedly tease me about it, and I know they're right. We are loud.
But I had a realization this week. I work hard to create a classroom culture where all feelings are ok. I hear myself saying it every day.
"It's ok to feel sad."
"It's ok to feel scared."
"It's ok to feel angry."
Doesn't it follow, then, that all of those feelings would be a presence in our shared space? All the crying, the shouting, the kicking. Perhaps I can look at the loudness of my classroom, as challenging as it can be sometimes, as a sign that my students feel safe in expressing their feelings; evidence that they know they will be loved, no matter how they feel. I will keep them safe as those feelings are expressed, and I will help them find healthy ways to express them, but the feelings themselves are always welcome.
Adults cry.
Adults shout.
Adults need time and space to themselves.
So do children.
If we are truly committed to helping children develop positive social/emotional skills, then we need to do just that - let them develop those skills. That gets loud.
Let's work together to make schools that can open the door.
Let's help each other welcome the feelings into our spaces.
