I hope all our teachers have had a wonderful, relaxing break. Many people will now be thinking about their classroom environments for the new school year. Here are some suggestions for setting up a safe, supportive, trauma sensitive environment.
* Create a quiet corner. This works well when doubled up as a book corner with comfy cushions and blankets which children can use when needing a calm space.
* Consider calm colours when backing display boards. Display positive and affirming messages, artwork and quotes to promote a sense of belonging.
*Arrange desks for easy movement and flexibility. Consider seating plans at least for the first week, so children know they have a designated space.
* Create a visual timetable that can be displayed in the classroom so children know what lessons or activities to expect throughout the day.
* Consider getting stress balls/ fiddle toys for certain children but ensure they are objects that won’t drive you mad when teaching!
* Start to consider daily routines that you want in your classroom such as what children are expected to do when they enter the class each morning, after break and after lunch. Thinking these things through now will help you when they are consistently applied in the first weeks of the year.
* Learn as much as you can about the individual children in your class next year and read any support plans that individuals may have. It will help you enormously when navigating through their behaviours in the first few weeks.
I’ll post more ideas next week to help the first week of the new school year go smoothly. In the meantime, enjoy those last days of late nights and late get ups!