The Secret Behind Students Thriving In Schools
Schools are complex ecosystems which run on a central leadership infrastructure mostly but the teachers, specialists, and counselors also customize the system according to the student body they are dealing with.
This is important because students come into schools with unique needs, and specialized support allows educators to meet the needs of a diverse student body.
A thriving student may look different at different institutions depending on their academic vision and goals. Any good school would think about the characteristics a thriving student brings to the table, and how they can create the conditions to cultivate that across the learning community. The best schools play a significant role in helping children flourish and reach their potential.
Some key factors that make students thrive at school are:
- Positive emotion – includes pleasure, warmth and nurture. It occurs when they engage in the things they enjoy.
- Engagement and flow – this happens when they are totally involved in the task at hand and use up all their cognitive and emotional resources. Even if learning is challenging, it feels achievable to them. Good teachers help children overcome their fear of failure and children gradually learn that there is value in facing any challenge.
- Meaningful activity – when actions are purposeful and students feel that they belong and give service to something bigger than themselves, it brings about a belief that their lives have purpose. A good school’s curriculum should include service, respect for diversity and an environment that values families.
- Positive relationships – a child’s relationship with their family, friends, peers and teachers form the foundation of their wellbeing. If they are able to connect with other people well, they have a sense of happiness and flourishing in their lives. Teachers at all school levels can mentor, model and explicitly teach children social skills and provide opportunities for interaction that will enable each student to confidently engage and form positive relationships with others.
- Accomplishment – it’s not about winning or being first. Building competence, confidence, skills and the ability to perform to a high standard are all stamps of success. Schools play a pivotal role in children developing these skills.
Other qualities that schools, with the cooperation of parents, can enhance in children and make them thrive are:
- Self-awareness and social awareness
- Communication and relationship skills
- Empathy
- Self-management
- Responsible decision making
- Dealing with loss and grief
- Resilience
- Delayed gratification
- Coping strategies
- Stress management
It’s important to know that schools that incorporate social and emotional learning into their academic programs significantly impact children’s academic performance.
So when choosing a school, along with looking at academic results, also consider the social and emotional elements required to make your child truly thrive.
At The Renaissance Education System (TRES), students flourish physically, socially, emotionally and academically. We nurture personal qualities in our students like resilience and a growth mindset, as well as a sense of belonging at school and in the community. Visit us to find out more!
