“Safe spaces” have gotten a lot of attention as individuals and businesses have begun to recognize the importance of environments where everyone feels welcome and included.

This is especially true in school environments, where students often face challenges and life changes that can leave them feeling vulnerable.

Healthy Learning is a critical component of creating safe spaces, and it’s up to teachers to build it into their lesson plans. We are prepared to equip you with all you need to add healthy learning strategies to your daily teachings.

In this article, we will:

• Explore what Harmony healthy learning and educator well-being are and how they can help you create a safe space in your classroom.
• Explore what a safe space is and why creating this environment in your classroom and school community is important.
• Share strategies for building healthy learning into your lesson plans.
• Learn how to incorporate Harmony into your classroom activities.
• Explore additional resources for pathways to well-being for teachers.

What is Harmony?

Harmony Academy, a part of National University, provides an Online Learning Portal that equips Pre-K-6th grade teachers with everything they need to integrate relationship-building skills into the classroom, including training, lessons, activities, videos, stories, games, and songs. 

Harmony’s online learning portal provides healthy learning strategies that can be implemented in your everyday teaching in as little as 10 minutes a day.

What is a safe space?

A safe space is where an individual or category of people can feel safe and will not be exposed to discrimination, criticism, harassment, or any other emotional or physical harm.

Safe spaces can be purposefully created groups or simply environments where everyone feels safe. They can also be very beneficial to helping a student calm down and regulate their emotional state before continuing to learn.

Creating healthy learning lesson plans that help foster a safe space in the classroom can be a beneficial and positive way to build your classroom community.

What are some strategies for building healthy learning into your lesson plans?

Several smart strategies for building healthy learning into your lesson plans exist. We’ve created a list of activities and linked them to no-cost resources (such as the Harmony Curriculum) that you can access and begin using immediately:

Self-awareness is a great place to start. Creating safe spaces begins with self-awareness, so begin by helping your students feel comfortable and capable of recognizing their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Encourage them to reflect on their experiences and how they affect their feelings and actions.

Harmony Unit 1: Being My Best Self explores understanding how everyone has connected emotions, thoughts, and actions; strategies to use more helpful self-talk and a growth mindset; and how these skills promote positive group dynamics.

Use real-life scenarios and situations. By bringing real-life scenarios into your lessons, you can help your students develop the relationship skills of empathy and understanding. This includes activities such as discussing current events, role-playing, or reading books that deal with difficult topics such as racism and bullying.

By exploring these topics in a safe and supportive environment, students can better understand themselves and others.

Harmony Professional Learning Module: Teaching Students Empathy can help you understand what empathy is, why it’s essential to foster in the classroom, and what specific actions you can take to develop a more empathic environment.

Encourage positive communication. Teach your students how to communicate effectively and positively with their peers. Use Harmony Curriculum Unit 3: Communicating with Others to encourage watching and listening attentively to understand and respond, conversation skills, communicating in different settings, when and how to speak up, and communicating for collaboration.

Build a community. A sense of community is essential to creating a safe space. A good starting point is Creating Classroom Rules. Classroom rules can help establish a positive classroom environment by helping refine your ability to design effective rules in collaboration with students.

Encourage your students to collaborate on projects, share their experiences, and support one another. Building a community in your classroom can create a safe and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

Learn how intentional classroom design and planning can engage and empower all students in Harmony Professional Development Developing Healthy Relationships Pathway > Classroom Design and Instruction Unit.

Use mindfulness techniques. Mindfulness techniques such as breathing exercises or guided meditations can help students develop self-control and emotional regulation. It can be beneficial to take a mindful moment after transitions such as lunch, recess, or room changes. It can even be used with young children!

By adding these techniques to your lessons, you can help your students learn to manage their emotions healthily.

Use positive reinforcement. Celebrate your students’ successes and encourage positive behavior with praise and recognition. This can help reinforce positive behaviors and encourage your students to continue to grow and develop.

These interventions and strategies can be used in the classroom, in Out-of-School Time Programs, and even with homeschooling parents.

How can I begin using Harmony healthy learning strategies in the classroom?

Harmony training and activities are offered at no-cost for teachers, administrators, educators, parents, and caregivers. You can create or log into your account today and get started!

You can access Live Online Training and On-Demand Training on the Harmony website.

If you need extra help implementing these programs, we can send trainers to your school district to help administrators onboard.

How can I further explore my professional development as a healthy learning teacher?

You can further your professional development through Harmony Professional Development online modules and through the degree program with Sanford College of Education at National University.

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