How can you support your students emotionally?

Do you know your students' backgrounds?  Do you know their ethnicities, economic status, and family circumstances?  All of these factors may have huge effects on their behaviors and emotions.  


According to Anna Freud, adolescence is characterized as a “period of internal conflict, psychic disequilibrium and erratic behavior”(Dolgin, 2011). During their adolescent years, adolescents face an array of physical and mental changes.  In addition,"adolescents now have to worry about socioeconomic status and those coming from a lower SES are generally marginalized" (Dolgin, 2011).


We, as educators must be aware and mindful of the challenges adolescents are facing on a daily basis. Your student who is causing the most problems in your classroom may just be crying for help. They may need someone who they can talk to who can truly understand them.  They may not have a support system at home.  You may be their only support!


We, as educators must also establish a safe and supporting classroom for our students.  We must have a zero-tolerance policy for bullying and abusive language.  Every one of our students must feel included and comfortable in our classrooms.  

Every day that you teach, make sure to put yourself in your students' shoes.  While interacting with them, try to show compassion and patience.   Don't forget...they may just need someone to understand them.