Learning takes place not just in the classroom but also in different spaces and areas in life. However, the majority of the things that one learns in life happen in those four walls. This is especially true when building learning foundations in children.
Thus, having a conducive learning environment that encourages little people to enjoy the whole process of knowing new things is important. Schools are considered to be a student’s second home as they spend a huge chunk of their daily life in it.
A conducive learning environment goes beyond having the right school furniture supplies and is actually composed of several important factors. These factors, when taken as a single entity should be a space where students can freely express their ideas to their classmates and teachers, while at the same time feel comfortable in exploring different aspects of different subjects and themselves.
Physical space
As an adult, having a workspace that is too hot or too cold with non-ergonomic chairs and tables will affect your productivity in a lot of ways. Same is true with children who are learning their ABCs and 123’s.
Having a comfortable physical space where children are able to sit comfortably, see and understand what their teacher is saying, as well as socialise with their fellow classmates is one of the major components of a conducive learning environment.
Learning ambiance
Every child is different. Student A might easily grasp the lesson just by looking at the board and listening to what the teacher says. Student B, on the other hand, would prefer having visual aids to understand the content of the lesson properly. Then, Student C is the type who gets the lessons when an actual experience is involved. The point is, the pace and manner of learning of each child are different.
As a teacher, it is your responsibility to craft an environment that encourages students to learn at their own pace, style, and despite differences. Establishing rules and regulations inside the classroom can help guide them into being a part of a group.
Sense of community and belongingness
In support of the second point, making students feel like they belong to a community, regardless of how different they are from each other is crucial in creating a conducive learning environment. At a young age, children are able to understand the reality of coming from various families, having different values, beliefs, and religion, as well as the fact that every individual is unique.
This uniqueness is something that has to be accepted, respected, and even celebrated. A student who feels confident in himself despite being different from others is one who belongs to an effective learning community.
All these three components (and more!) can help foster a conducive learning environment that celebrates the uniqueness of every student. As a teacher, it is your responsibility to create a space that encourages every student not only to learn, but have fun while respecting everyone around him. Learning might go beyond the classroom, but the things learned inside also matter as much.