Feeling Connected at School

When kids feel part of their school community and are cared for by people at their school, they are less likely to get into trouble. They also have higher levels of emotional well-being.

This feeling of belonging, often called “connectedness,” can be especially important during times of stress or when difficult decisions have to be made.

Adults and peers, curricular and extracurricular activities, policies and practices all affect the level of connectedness your child feels at school.

This article:

• Defines school connectedness.
• Explains the importance of being connected to the school.
• Suggests ways for parents and teachers to help kids feel more connected at school.

What Is School Connectedness?

These are some of the major elements that help kids feel they belong and are cared for at their school:

• Teachers who support and care for individual students.
• Good friends at school.
• Parents and students caring about current and future academic performance.
• Discipline policies that are fair and efficient.
• Participating in extracurricular activities

Benefits of Connectedness

Some of the benefits of helping students feel a sense of connectedness to their school community are listed below.

• Academic benefits: “Connected” kids are more likely to attend school regularly, pay attention to their grades and pursue post-secondary education.
• Reducing risky behaviour: Students who feel a sense of belonging to the school community are less likely to be involved in activities such as smoking, alcohol and substance abuse, early sexual activity, drinking and driving, suicide attempts and weapon-related violence.
• Mental well-being: Connected kids are less likely to have emotional distress or experience abuse. They are able to handle stress effectively and are more resilient (that is, they can bounce back from stress).

How Parents Can Help Kids Feel More Connected At School

The first step is to recognize the importance of school connectedness in your child’s life and development. Second, use the information in the “What Is School Connectedness?” section above to assess your child’s school situation.

As a parent, you can take these steps to influence your child’s level of connectedness:

• Attend parent-teacher meetings and get to know all of your child’s teachers through regular conversations.
• Be involved with the school. Go on field trips, volunteer and know what is happening at the school.
• Get to know your child’s friends and their families, and encourage positive peer relationships.
• Talk to your children about their grades and effort, and access resources to help you ensure they are reaching their potential and taking ownership of their performance.
• Discuss the school’s discipline policy with teachers and administrators.
• Encourage your child to get involved. Most schools offer a wide variety of extracurricular options, from band to basketball.
• Your child’s sense of belonging to school (connectedness) plays a key role, not only in academic success but also in decreasing risky behaviour and supporting mental well-being.
• Talk with your children about how connected they feel at school. Above all, involve yourself in their school lives and be aware of what happens there, both negatively and positively.

Feeling Connected at School

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