Connections and Relationships

I believe that connections with your students should be the most important goal as teacher. There is a saying "You can't teach what you don't know and who you don't know" You should make it a priority to get to know each one of your students on a personal level. Even as a two year old teacher, I know what makes every one of my kids happy, sad, angry, or any other emotion. Children respect you more when you show that you care about their well being! You learning your students, gives them a chance to also learn you and what triggers your emotions. When you try to give commands or demands to a child that you haven't earned that trust from, its harder to get through to them because they don't feel safe and secure just yet; I see that daily.

Show your students that you care ask them about their morning, how was their weekend, what do they like to do, do they like music, what do they like to play. All those things can even be incorporated into your way of teaching to grasp and keep attention. 

You always want to treat you students with respect. You get what you put out, so if you give respect you will receive it in return. Don't be so quick to always yell, use a kind voice with them. Speak to your students and address them by name or nicknames. Make them feel good about themselves, of course you don't want to be a pushover but try not to always point out the bad in students. There is something good to be said about each student. When they get something right, praise them and let them know how proud of them you are. I believe that every child wants to hear those words; "I am proud of you" is more powerful than you think. I listened to a podcast( Talks With Teachers) on those 5 words and it was very inspiring. With my two year olds when they do something right I tell them to kiss their brain and you would think they just won the lottery how happy it makes them. You have to instill intrinsic motivation in your students, as teachers you have such a huge impact on your students so make it a positive impact! You also never know what a student is dealing with at home, another very important reason to build relationships. They might not get encouragement and positive vibes at home, so while at school its crucial that they get all of that plus an education. Getting to know your students also means you get to know how they learn. Of course every student won't learn the same way, and you might not be able to incorporate each way in one day but try to do one learning style a day; Im sure it will be super beneficial. 

Learn your students, then you can teach them!