Teacher: “You know, happiness and stress can spread really quickly in a classroom.”
Child: “Like… a cold?”
Teacher: “Kind of! If someone is really happy and smiling, it can make everyone else feel happier too. It also works the other way. If someone is feeling really stressed or upset, that can spread too.”
Happiness and stress are contagious, especially in a classroom! Teachers’ moods set the stage for their students’ learning experiences, shaping how they engage, explore, and thrive. When teachers are happy and calm, their students mirror that energy, creating a positive learning environment.
At the Garden International School (GIS) Early Years Centre (EYC), educators ensure that they are able to remain regulated and project a calm response during periods of heightened emotions with children aged 3 to 5 years old.
GIS Assistant Head of Primary (EYC) Antonia Confalone and 3 EYC educators share more with makchic about why the teacher’s emotional tone is vital for maintaining a healthy and effective learning environment.
Teachers and Kids Need to Co-Regulate
“We need to be ‘a thermostat not a thermometer’; meaning, we regulate emotion rather than rise up to it. By using a gentle, low voice, keeping language to a minimum and showing open, relaxed body language, a child is able to feel safe and is able to co-regulate more effectively,” shares Ms Antonia.
A calm, positive teacher sets a tone that helps students stay regulated, while a stressed teacher can cause students to mirror those emotions, making it harder for them to focus, which is why co-regulation is key.
The Zones of Regulation framework is a great tool to help kids (and adults!) understand their emotions. The zones range from green (calm and focused) to red (angry and overwhelmed). As the day begins for EYC children in GIS, students will start school using the zones of regulation for their daily check-ins.
See this framework in action at the upcoming GIS’ EYC Open Day happening on the 26th and 27th February.
Ms Antonia shares that:
“By modeling self-control, teachers provide students with a stable example of how to manage emotions. Also, by creating a classroom that promotes emotional well-being and a positive emotional climate, teachers set the stage for academic success. When children feel safe, supported, and motivated, they are more likely to engage in their learning and achieve their academic goals.“
Supporting Teacher Happiness
Ms Antonia shares that schools can support teachers by addressing their emotional, professional, and social needs in this way:
Professional Development: Ongoing training keeps teachers inspired and equipped to handle challenges.
At GIS, professional development is more than just a box to check, it’s an exciting journey of growth! With tailored training opportunities available all year, every staff member can shine. Tuesdays bring dedicated Professional Development Meetings designed just for EYC and Primary, while Friday afternoons are all about school-wide development, with two focused hours to collaborate and grow together.
Collaboration: A culture of teamwork helps teachers feel connected and supported. Regular opportunities to share ideas and seek advice prevent burnout and isolation. GIS staff are inspired to dream big, reflect on their goals, and shape their journey to meet the evolving needs of the dynamic learning community.
Work-Life Balance: Schools can promote reasonable workloads, flexible schedules, and personal time. Rested teachers bring enthusiasm and creativity to their classrooms. When schools invest in teacher well-being, everyone benefits. Energised teachers create dynamic, engaging classrooms that spark joy and curiosity in their students.
Parents as Partners
Parents are key players in extending the joy and emotional support of the classroom into the home. Here’s how you, as a parent, can help:
- Model Calmness: Just like teachers, parents set an emotional tone. Stay patient and empathetic to teach your child emotional regulation.
- Celebrate Effort: Focus on praising your child’s efforts, rather than just outcomes. For instance, saying, “I love how hard you worked on this!” fosters resilience and a growth mindset.
- Encourage Communication: Regularly chat about your child’s feelings and school experiences. Open conversations strengthen trust and help kids process emotions.
- Balance Fun and Rest: Make sure your child’s day includes time to play, relax, and recharge. A balanced routine fuels happiness and learning.
When parents and teachers align, kids receive consistent messages about the importance of happiness and self-regulation.
EYC educator Ms Denise Davies shares this reminder with us, “Often parents will say, “If you say it to him (the child), he will listen!”. Because of that, I think it’s important to model the kind of language and behaviour we expect from our students. Children are constantly learning how to communicate and manage situations by watching and listening to those around them.”
Conflict Resolution with Emotional Intelligence
Emotionally intelligent teachers are superheroes at handling conflicts. They stay cool under pressure, modeling self-control and empathy. For example, instead of reacting to a disruptive student with frustration, they might calmly ask, “What’s bothering you today?” By understanding the root of the behaviour, they de-escalate tension and teach valuable conflict resolution skills.
“These teachers are more empathetic, able to identify the underlying emotional needs behind students’ behaviors, rather than reacting with frustration. Emotionally healthy teachers are proactive in preventing conflicts and addressing students’ unique needs. Their understanding and care help form strong, positive relationships, making students more receptive to guidance. They also excel at recognising when students need extra support, fostering an environment of trust and growth, “ explains Ms Antonia.
Happiness Boosts Learning
Happy kids are better learners! Emotional well-being fuels academic success by improving focus, confidence, and motivation. In a classroom where positivity reigns, students feel safe to take risks, ask questions, and tackle challenges head-on. Teachers who celebrate effort over perfection encourage kids to embrace mistakes as stepping stones to growth.
“It is incredibly rewarding to see a student break through all the obstacles and challenges they have faced, and seeing how proud they become of their own capability,” shares Mr Brandyn Starbuck, Assistant Teacher at EYC. He goes on to give an example of a student who wanted to ‘build a dragon’.
“While he may have seen that as just a brief, faraway idea, I instead supported him in this endeavour. We sat down and made an in-depth plan of what parts a dragon would need, and how it would look like. In the end we completed the entire thing from scratch. It was a lovely opportunity to cement the idea that any ideas a child can think of, along with the right support, can be made into a reality.”
Seeing them as Unique Individuals
At GIS, there is a remarkable ability in seeing children as individuals with distinct strengths, challenges and interests which all result in fostering self-confidence and a love of learning. With their deep understanding of child development, the highly-trained educators here can adapt their approach to meet every child’s emotional, social, and cognitive needs.
“Teachers can have a profound impact on their students, and it is our responsibility to ensure that we get to know each child individually so we can pick up on their changing behaviours,” shares Ms Michelle Lee, EYC educator.
At GIS, it’s this blend of qualifications, experience, and pure passion that ensures their young learners get the best start on their educational journey but most of all, have plenty of fun along the way!
This is a sponsored post by Garden International School (GIS).
To find out more about their teachers and GIS’ curriculum for young learners, visit GIS’ Early Years Centre (EYC) Open Day on 26th and 27th February 2025! GIS is offering an EYC Open Day promotion with 100% Application Fee Rebate* (worth RM1,300) and 100% off Registration Fee Discount* (worth RM10,000) for applications submitted before 2nd March 2025. *Terms and conditions apply. This promotion applies to Pre-Nursery through to Reception first-time enrolments only.
GIS is also offering a Main Campus Open Day promotion with 100% Application Fee Rebate* (worth RM1,300) for applications submitted before 2nd March 2025. *Terms and conditions apply. This promotion applies to Year 1 through to Year 10 first-time enrolments only.
To arrange your personalised tour of GIS’ Early Years Centre (EYC), contact their friendly Admissions Team, or visit their website. Also click here, to get to know the 3 EYC educators: Mr Brandyn, Ms Michelle and Ms Denise better!
