Child-Teacher Bond in Early Years Might have Lasting Impact

Source: https://www.upi.com/Health_News/

Research indicates that building strong relationships with teachers in the early grades can have lasting benefits. These early connections positively impact not only academic success but also social, emotional development, and executive functioning skills, which are crucial for educational achievement. Arya Ansari, an associate professor at Ohio State University, and his team analyzed data from a long-term study of kindergarten students, focusing on their experiences through grade 3, as teacher-student relationship data for grades 4 and 5 was unavailable.

Studies highlight the importance of teachers building strong, conflict-free relationships with students in the early grades. These positive connections, starting as early as kindergarten, can significantly benefit children’s development and learning through third grade. Researcher Arya Ansari emphasizes the need for collaboration between school administrators, parents, and teachers to support the cultivation of these relationships. The findings were published in the journal Child Development.

The study found that strong student-teacher relationships consistently contribute to positive outcomes across various student populations, both short- and long-term. While all students benefit from close ties with their teachers, girls, in particular, were found to struggle more socially when facing conflict and a lack of closeness with teachers. Arya Ansari emphasized the importance of teachers encouraging open communication, actively listening, validating students’ emotions, and fostering collaboration. The study also highlighted the value of nurturing students’ individual interests. Ansari sees these findings as a starting point for further research on how teacher-student relationships influence learning across different groups and environments.

Read More: https://childreninfobank.com/safebank/child-teacher-bond-in-early-years-might-have-lasting-impact/

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