Encouraging class participation in children is important, as this helps them develop the communication skills and emotional readiness needed to thrive academically and socially. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented pause in face-to-face learning in most developed countries, including Singapore.
While holding remote classes became necessary to contain the spread of the disease, it has also led to a deterioration in language and social skills among younger children globally. Now that regular classes have resumed in many places, it is becoming clear that many children were adversely affected by the prolonged separation from their peers. Elementary school teachers, in particular, are facing difficulties in encouraging students to participate in class.
Thankfully, there are several tried and tested ways to encourage class participation, and such techniques are adaptable to various models of pedagogy. They also tend to be helpful to any student, no matter if they study in a local school or in one of the international primary schools in Singapore.
Below are some tips elementary school educators can follow to encourage students to speak their minds and regain the social and communication skills they need to succeed in life.
1.) Avoid Creating a Fearful Atmosphere
Unfortunately, fear has been a component of different educational systems for generations. In countries where high academic achievement is valued, students may develop a fear of failure or of thinking outside the box. This may lead to a situation where students may avoid participating in class discussions for fear of saying or doing something wrong. This is quite often the case in some East Asian countries, including Singapore.
Fortunately, teachers can do a lot to break the cycle of fear. It can be done by not reacting negatively to “wrong” or unorthodox answers and encouraging a participatory atmosphere. Teachers should also temper the reactions of students to their peers by laying ground rules that encourage them to respect those who speak their minds.
2.) Learn about Your Students’ Interests
People of all ages respond positively when others show interest in things they like. You can apply this same principle to your students to build trust and foster a more participatory environment.
To learn their interests, you may observe your students and engage with them occasionally outside of class. When possible, you may also want to talk to your students’ parents or their other teachers for a deeper understanding of their interests.
3.) Reframe the Purpose of Participation
Students may avoid speaking up because they fear being chastised by you or their peers for saying something “wrong.” However, you can do much to break this cycle of fear in your classroom by reframing the purpose of class participation.
Rather than turning discussions into some kind of verbal test, it may be better to treat them as opportunities for discovery. Students should not be punished either by you or their peers for giving a “wrong” answer that they have spent effort arriving at. This should be true even in more objective subjects such as math and science. If they give an unorthodox answer, try to have them explain it without putting them on the spot.
4.) Offer Alternative Means of Expression
Sometimes, it’s unrealistic to expect students to express themselves due to the pressures of the surrounding culture. This is especially true in more conservative societies. This doesn’t mean, however, that they should not be given an outlet to speak their mind.
If students all have access to computers, anonymous class chat rooms or Google sheets could be used to ask anonymous questions. If no such tech is available, an anonymous question box can serve as a venue for your students to express themselves more freely, without fear of condemnation. However, make sure that there are ground rules for these anonymous mediums to avoid potential abuse by some students.
5.) Praise Students That Share Rarely
If a student that doesn’t participate often does decide to share something, make sure to be a bit more emphatic in your praise. This may help them build the confidence to continue sharing later on. This is especially critical for elementary school students because much of their self-esteem and attitude toward others are developed around this period.
6.) Don’t Play Favorites
There will inevitably be some students that participate more than others. Relying on these few individuals to drive participation may lead others to become disinterested. For this reason, it’s best to give everyone a chance to speak their mind.
7.) “Gamify” Participation
One proven way to encourage students to participate is through the use of simple game mechanics. Gamifying engagement through games or even something as simple as a participation board can give students the push they need to speak up in class. A recent study even shows that such an approach may even lead to a fuller understanding of complex subjects.
8.) Don’t Put Anyone on the Spot
You are only human and there will always be problematic students. However, as tempting as it may be, you should never put anyone on the spot during class discussions. This will only reinforce the atmosphere of fear that is often the default in many classrooms. If the student is being willfully disruptive, you can just see them after class or have a word with their parents.
Let Your Class Have a Say
Hopefully, these ideas will help you foster a more participative atmosphere in your classroom, especially in these challenging years following the pandemic. Class participation is more than just a way to gauge how much your students have learned. It may be key to helping them practice and improve vital communication skills that they will be using for the rest of their lives.
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