Physical connection matters to all humans. We are not meant to live in isolation or experience the world alone. Humans need physical contact to thrive, so it’s important to make touch a part of every child’s learning environment. Utilizing touch in the classroom can help calm fears, decrease anxiety, and communicate empathy. It relays a lasting and positive feeling that helps with wellbeing and social development.

Sense of belonging is the feeling a student must have to succeed and feel connected. The desire to belong and feel a part of the community is a basic human desire and applies to people of all ages and abilities. For teachers to help students feel that they belong, it is important to build the student-teacher relationship by showing interest, creating a caring environment, and being sensitive to their needs. The teacher is the leader when it comes to building a community within the classroom. As the leader, you must demonstrate recognition of every child. By showing your acceptance to all opinions through your words, tone, and gestures, you are fostering a community where children feel wanted and valued.

Building relationships takes time, but it is a vital part of the learning process. With this in mind, teachers should intentionally take steps beginning the first day of school to create these positive adult-child relationships before initiating touch. There are many ways for teachers to help build this positive connection. Showing interest in students’ lives can begin this relationship. Taking the time to greet students at the door and asking them about their day or their latest soccer game begins to build the bond. Once students feel accepted, it is time to begin with simple gestures of touch.

It takes time, but once the relationship develops, the teacher can initiate touch. Giving hugs, pats on the back, or a touch on the shoulder help students feel secure and valued. Affectionate and supportive touch is one of the best ways to create a healthy and successful student-teacher relationship. However, you want to initiate touch slowly.

While building relationships, you want to establish touch early (not suddenly) and then make it part of your daily routine. Many studies validate the importance of touch within the classroom. It should not be applied suddenly but should begin with asking for a high-five. Once the high-five is established, you may be able to move to a pat on the shoulder and progress from there. Teachers should understand students’ body language as well as their individual backgrounds. Parents are an excellent resource and are able to explain their child’s limitations with touching. For example, hugs may be too stressful for students, but you may be able to do a fist bump or high five. The more you know and understand your students, the easier it will be to initiate different levels of touch.

However, before beginning to initiate touch, you must be aware of the situation and the relationship you have with the child. Some children do not like being touched, especially when they are feeling overwhelmed or anxious. If you do not have a relationship with the child, then you should first ask if you can hold her hand or touch her back. You can also try putting out your hand for a handshake. This gesture provides the child with a choice; she can either take your hand or not.  When a child does not answer you, it does not mean she didn’t hear you. If you have a relationship with this child, you can lightly pat her back for encouragement. If you do not have a relationship, try to make eye contact by getting down to her level. You want the child to understand that you do not want to place pressure, but you want to support and encourage.

After establishing rapport and a routine, you can provide opportunities for children to experience touch. Children love to be read to, so why not add to this positive experience by allowing children to sit on your lap or hold your hand. You can place your arm around the child to promote the feelings of safety and security. Children must have a safe environment in order to thrive in the classroom. It should be a safe physical space but must also be emotionally safe for students to learn and grow.

When children are working out a problem in math or reading, a hand on their back demonstrates you are there for them. You become their ally; someone who wants them to succeed. A light touch on the back or a hand resting lightly on the shoulder is a simple gesture to show students you are there to support, encourage, and motivate. It’s a simple gesture that lasts longer than the amount of time a student sits in class.

It is imperative that you as the teacher understands each student’s limitations. With this understanding, take slow steps before incorporating touch into your teaching. Build the relationship first by getting to know students and then ease into adding touch as part of your daily interactions. Touch is vital to learning, but so are the steps you take before applying it.