Social and emotional factors are, in my opinion, the basis of learning. Students can't concentrate or give their best effort if they feel uncomfortable, excluded, or emotionally overwhelmed. It's like asking them to run a race with their shoes tied together. I have witnessed intelligent and talented adolescents whose academic progress stopped because of challenges at home, bullying, or worry. Once they were given emotional support, whether it was from a peer buddy, a caring adult, or a secure place to communicate, they started to flourish once more. This does not only apply to children. In professional contexts, even adults learn better when they are supported, listened, and treated with respect. Whether at a neighborhood workshop, a workplace training, or a college classroom, our relationships and feelings influence how we absorb and apply information.

Particularly in the upper grades, student worry and stress related to education are issues that I am really concerned about. This topic touches on the direct relationship between emotional safety and learning results, much like Dorothy Espelage's work on bullying.

Anxiety in school-age children has been on the rise recently, according to research. Nearly 1 in 5 children suffer from a mental health illness, with anxiety being one of the most prevalent, according to a 2020 CDC report. Even minor worry can impair working memory and focus, two essential components of learning, according to educational psychologist Jeanette Spence (2021).

I've witnessed kids in my own classroom become quite withdrawn during tests or presentations—not because they didn't comprehend the subject matter, but rather because their nervousness overcame them. They may act out, avoid making eye contact, or refuse to attempt. To assist with this, I've included techniques such as:

Permitting peaceful pauses or areas for relaxation

Using "How are you feeling today?" check-ins

Providing projects with flexible deadlines or alternate formats

Simple breathing techniques and the teaching of emotional terminology

Here, self-control, emotional security, and a growth attitude are crucial ideas. Pupils develop greater resilience when they understand that it's acceptable to have anxiety and that they can overcome it with assistance. Co-regulation is also crucial because it teaches pupils how to control their emotions by observing how we act composedly, compassionately, and creatively.

This demonstrates that learning involves more than just the brain; it also involves the heart. Learning is made possible and even enjoyable when we foster both.