As I reflected back on September in kindergarten today, I realized just how far these little people had come in just 19 days. I listened to them playing together, talking about being friends, apologizing when they made mistakes, and encouraging each other during difficult times.

The importance of building community in a classroom cannot be overstated. It is THE backbone of interpersonal relationships among children. When relationships are strong and trust is established among members of a community, there is little that community cannot do.

Here are a few things that I’ve found are helpful to accomplish this goal:

1. Establish rapport. Set clear expectations that in your class, everyone listens to each other. I don’t mean following directions. I mean listening to what each person has to say. Children’s voices should be valued as much as adult ones.
2. Take care of and be proud of the place. This is mostly about your classroom but also includes other places where you go in the school. Put things away where they belong. Make your space a place where children want to spend their time.
3. Start traditions. They can be big or small. In our class, we celebrate birthdays by allowing the person to choose a special activity for the class on that day. It can be as simple as going for a walk somewhere or everyone making a birthday card.
4. Foster a sense of belonging. In kindergarten, I tell them the number one rule is “stick together”. Wherever you go in the school, inside or outside, you stick together. Nobody gets left behind. Always wait for each other. We never start our class meetings until everyone is sitting and ready to begin. Look around at your classmates. These are YOUR people.
5. Help everyone to be their best selves. Everyone is good at some things, and not so good at others. We’re ALL growing and learning. Take time as a class to recognize what each child is good at and talk openly about how children can help each other be their best. Notice and name positive behaviours and encourage children to do the same for each other.
6. Learn every day. Talk about what is being learned. Be EXPLICIT. We are going to learn a song that has numbers in it because we want to know how to count backwards from 5 to 1. We are going for a walk to the big playground so we can learn how to be safe while on the road. I am only giving you 2 glue sticks so that you can learn to share the glue and ask each other politely for the glue.
7. Support everyone to be independent. Ask who would like to be in charge of holding the door for everyone, cleaning up a certain area, or check if everyone has their outdoor shoes on before going home. The need for power and autonomy is universal. Feeling capable and competent are the building blocks of self-worth.

Now these are just a few, but I believe they are a great start to getting your class’s sense of community off on the right foot.

Stay well, my friends.

We’re in this together.

Cathy😊

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