How to Make Everyone Feel Welcome in School: Removing the Circle and Spreading Kindness
The beginning of the school year comes with its own set of challenges, especially for tweens. Your child might find themselves in a new schools or class, trying to make new friends, or taking on a new challenge. Whether this comes easy or is difficult for your child, it’s important to remind them to be kind and understanding towards others, as they navigate through these challenges in their own way. We want to encourage your Tween to use this time to spread kindness and remove the circle completely by being inclusive of everyone.
How To Be Inclusive
One way we can help make sure that everyone in our school feels welcome is through inclusion. Making sure that no one feels left out or excluded is key in creating a supportive environment for everyone. Here are some tips that you and your tween can practice together:
1. Get Involved – Encourage your tween to get involved in activities at school, such as sports teams, clubs, school plays, or volunteer work. This will give them an opportunity to meet people who share similar interests and passions and help foster strong bonds with their peers.
2. Offer Support – Remind your tween that it’s important to reach out and offer support when someone may feel left out or excluded from their peers. Even just a small gesture like offering a smile or speaking up when someone needs help can go a long way towards making someone feel included and accepted in the group. Remember that if you don't compete, you can still support those who do. Cheering on a friend is as important as being the one competing, we need each other, and you never know when you will one day be the one competing and need someone else to cheer you on!
3. Stand Up For Others – It’s important for your tween to stand up for themselves if they ever find themselves feeling excluded, but it’s also important for them to be an advocate for those around them who may not have the same confidence or resources that they do. Encourage them to speak up if they notice any instances of bullying or exclusion among their peers so that everyone feels safe and respected at school.
At the end of the day, kindness goes a long way! By supporting each other during times of transition such as the start of a new school year, we can create an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable being themselves without worrying about social pressure or fitting in with certain groups of people. Let’s lead by example and encourage our children—and ourselves—to always strive to be kind!