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Second Step® Insights

Strategies to Promote Student Well-Being in Your School

July 24, 2024 | By: The Second Step® Team

Student well-being has a powerful influence on academic success. Studies show when kids feel good, they achieve more academically. So, if well-being influences academic success, what influences well-being? Researchers have been studying student well-being for years, although it’s become a prominent discussion among educators since the COVID-19 pandemic. Some people think of well-being as mental health wellness, or overall happiness, or physical health. Student well-being usually refers to a combination of multiple factors, including emotional, social, physical, and environmental states. Considering how much time kids spend at school, educators have a unique opportunity to help nurture student well-being. While no one person can provide all the support kids need, we’ve outlined strategies that can help promote well-being in schools.

Promote social-emotional learning

Many studies have shown social-emotional learning (SEL) curricula can lead to improved student attitudes about themselves, others, and their school, as well as feelings of connectedness. And connectedness can have a positive impact on students’ overall sense of well-being. SEL skills teach kids how to understand and manage their emotions, build relationship skills, make good decisions, and solve problems, as well as practice empathy and perspective-taking. Students at schools that incorporate SEL tend to report a positive school climate, which correlates to students’ sense of well-being.

Create a positive school climate

When students feel safe and supported, they do better academically. School leaders can take schoolwide steps to reduce bullying, including cyberbullying, and create a space where students of all backgrounds feel respected and free to be themselves. In a classroom setting, creating a positive climate includes encouraging constructive feedback, creating a safe and supportive environment, and other aspects of classroom management.

Build teacher-student connections

When kids feel seen and heard, they feel more connected to their school, which contributes to their overall well-being. Here are some ways to build connections with students:

  • Remember students’ names and backgrounds. Research shows this has a powerful positive impact on kids’ sense of belonging at school.
  • Offer guidance when you see students struggling instead of waiting for them to initiate. Self-advocacy is an SEL skill they may not have mastered yet. Feeling comfortable asking for help begins with teachers offering support.
  • Reminisce with your students about an experience that you shared—a fire alarm that interrupted class, a day with remarkably bad weather, or a memorable win for a popular sports team. Talk—or laugh—about it with your students.

Teach health literacy

Many recent discussions about student well-being revolve around stress and anxiety. Teaching students about physical and emotional health and the impacts of stress can help them understand their rapid heart rate or those butterflies before a class presentation. Knowledge is power. Give them the tools to identify what normal stress feels like, assure them it’s a standard part of school, and help them determine when anxiety may need more attention and professional support. Health literacy also includes teaching kids about the importance of good nutrition and sleep habits and their impact on learning.

Get active

Kids who are physically active have improved well-being. Simply put, exercise makes us feel better. Whether it’s a physical education class, running around at recess, or moving in the classroom (dance party, anyone?), getting kids active can help improve their overall wellness—as well as boost academic success.

Practice stress-reduction techniques

While health literacy and physical activity can positively impact student well-being, practicing physical stress-reduction techniques can help too. Research shows practicing breathing exercises in class can help reduce anxiety and stress. Learn about belly breathing.

Provide professional development for teachers and principals

Teaching SEL skills to improve student well-being won’t be as easy if teachers haven’t been adequately trained. Schools should provide training on teaching SEL curricula and strategies to implement programs and assess outcomes. A recent research summary spotlights the impact of principals on student school climate, student well-being, and teacher well-being. To improve outcomes, it’s recommended that principals also receive professional development on SEL foundations. Having school leaders walk the walk is important!

Get year-round resources for teacher well-being here.

Listen to our Grow Kinder® podcast for discussions with education thought leaders.

Learn more about the Second Step® family of programs for teaching social-emotional skills to K–12 students.

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