Student well-being

Photographs: Pexels

Text: Monika Pedersen

In my last article, the focus was on teacher wellbeing, but I would be remiss if I did not advocate for the enormous and growing need for student wellbeing. It has been an issue for some time, but after COVID, it was placed centre stage. A student’s well-being focuses on their social, emotional, and academic welfare. This usually starts at home through the parenting and a loving environment provided. There needs to be a harmonious balance for a student to thrive and grow. This growth is then influenced by their educational environment and the relationships they hold with their peers and educators. Should there not be a positive alignment, their academic growth and their health are at risk of being negatively impacted, leading to a lack of learning, unhappiness, withdrawal and even poor mental health.

Building a safe and caring community

It is important to create a sense of belonging through a welcoming environment and supportive learning community. The classroom should be inviting and encourage a student to come and engage in learning. The look and feel of actual physical space are important, but the driving factor is the educator and the vibes she/he create within the space and the relationship established between the teacher and the student. A student needs to feel wanted, valued, and respected, and this is developed through the daily dialogues and interactions that take place. This relationship is not always instant but is built over some time through mutual understanding and the development of trust between one another. It is also vital that the other members of the class are guided in the way they interact with each other to build upon the norms and expectations of the class group. This can be delivered through instructional programmes, but the key factor comes back to the educator. A modelling of the desired behaviour comes from the teacher/teachers with whom the students share time. And this is connected to the ethos of a school.

A structured and disciplined classroom environment is important as it allows for learning to take place in an organised and well-prepared setting, where the goals and the instruction are clearly articulated and delivered, so it is not a fight against noise, friction, and general malaise. A situation where experimentation, error, and individuality are promoted encourages students to take risks, learn, and grow, not only academically but socially. Nurturing self-belief and self-confidence are vital in supporting student wellbeing, happiness, and good functionality.

"It is important to create a sense of belonging through a welcoming environment and supportive learning community."

Homelife and self-care

It is crucial for a child to have a happy and stable home life. A safe and loving environment is fundamental for a child to flourish. This places a great burden on parents, and it requires a lot of selflessness. The role of the extended family, as well as close family friends, can not be underestimated. Together, the group sustain a child’s psychological, cognitive, social and physical functioning and capabilities that a student needs to live a happy and fulfilling life. A chaotic, dysfunctional home life bears serious consequences for a child. Sadly, there are numerous statistics and heart-breaking stories to evidence this.

A system of self-care needs to be instilled and supported through the pastoral system of the school and the family unit. A child does not instinctively deduce these aspects; instead, they need to be set out and reinforced by the school and family partnership.

A child needs to appreciate that a certain number of hours of sleep underpin wellness and good health. Parents should ensure, in earlier years, that a child needs approximately ten hours of sleep. Thus, a certain strictness regarding bedtimes is needed. As a student grows older, the responsibility is handed over to the individual, but a cautious eye to ensure temptations such as mobile devices, gaming toys, and curfew hours help to aid this process.

In addition to good sleeping patterns, healthy eating habits help to promote physical health and a positive state of mind. A range of nutritious food, homemade dishes, and a valuing of mealtimes promote respect and an understanding of the vital role food plays in sustaining motivation, positivity, and energy. A poorly nourished or hungry child is prone to ill health and, in the worst cases, a depressed child or one with eating disorders that can dog him or her for many years to come.

Exercise also plays a vital role in a child’s health and well-being. Daily exercise or physical activity through individual or team sports truly encourages a positive mindset, good social interactions, and an appreciation for life. In the same way creativity and music can also enrich a child’s life and instil a sense of personal happiness.

This article only touches on the surface of a child's needs. The complexity of the term well-being and its many facets require a much deeper investigation to truly extrapolate all the layers of meaning and influencing factors.