4 Ways To Build Emotional Safety
I’ve spoken in hundreds of schools and in front of hundreds of thousands of students and what I’ve realized is that students have an uncanny ability to act like everything is ok when they really aren’t. And, it’s for good reasons—they don’t feel emotionally safe enough to talk about what’s really going on in their lives.
My job as a speaker is not to just deliver a message, but to do it in a way that creates trust with the students so that by the time I’m finished, they feel safe enough with me to have a hard and brave conversation.
And this changes everything.
Creating an emotionally safe environment for students is crucial for their overall well-being and academic success. When students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings, they are more likely to engage in open and honest communication with their teachers and peers.
So, based on my experience of being in front of hundreds of thousands of students, here are 4 ways you can begin to build emotional safety with students.
Create a judgment-free zone: Students often hold back from sharing their thoughts and feelings because they fear being judged or criticized. To build emotional safety, it is important to create a judgment-free zone where students can express themselves without fear of repercussions. This can be done by actively listening to students, avoiding interrupting or dismissing their thoughts, and responding with empathy and understanding.
Encourage open communication: Building emotional safety also means encouraging open communication. This can be done by providing opportunities for students to share their thoughts and feelings, such as through class discussions, group work, and journaling. Additionally, teachers can model open communication by sharing their own thoughts and feelings with students in a safe and appropriate manner.
Provide support and resources: When students feel safe, they are more likely to seek out support and resources when they need them. Teachers can build emotional safety by making sure students are aware of the support and resources available to them, such as counseling services, peer support groups, and mental health clinics. Additionally, teachers can provide additional support by connecting students with community resources, such as local mental health organizations.
Establish clear boundaries and expectations: Establishing clear boundaries and expectations can also help build emotional safety. This means communicating to students what is and is not appropriate behavior in the classroom, and consistently enforcing these boundaries. Additionally, teachers can set expectations for how students should treat each other, such as by promoting respect and kindness among classmates.
By creating a judgment-free zone, encouraging open communication, providing support and resources, and establishing clear boundaries and expectations, teachers and administrators can empower students to talk about the things going on in their lives and feel heard and understood.
Because after all, don’t we all just want to be seen?