Children value class atmosphere over lessons, survey finds

More than two-thirds of children aged 9 to 14 say the atmosphere in their class is the most important part of going to school, according to a survey by Epinion for DR Ultra, published by DR. Only 20 per cent say lessons are the most important factor.

The findings come as many children return to school this week. According to Mette Molbæk, an associate professor and research director at VIA University College who studies children’s wellbeing, social wellbeing in the classroom can affect how much children learn.

“When children feel they are part of the community, their motivation and desire to come to school can increase. They are more willing to ask questions, less afraid of making mistakes and more persistent,” Molbæk said.

Children who do not feel socially secure in their class may experience reduced concentration, increased absence, lower learning outcomes and lower grades, she said.

“The community can therefore affect whether it becomes an upward or downward spiral,” Molbæk said.

The survey asked children whether the classroom atmosphere, meaning the social environment, or lessons, meaning the academic content, was more important to them.

Sixty-eight per cent chose the classroom atmosphere, 20 per cent chose lessons and 13 per cent said they did not know.

Molbæk said the results were not surprising. Social wellbeing should not be treated as something separate from academic learning, she said, but as a condition for children to feel safe and motivated to learn.

She believes schools should incorporate social development into everyday teaching rather than relying only on wellbeing days and lessons that are separate from academic work.

Parents can also support the social life of the class, Molbæk said. When some pupils feel excluded, it affects the entire class community, so parents should support the wider group rather than focusing only on their own child.

Four ways parents can support the class community

Attend and support class events. Molbæk said parents play an important role as role models. By attending social events and getting involved, they show their children that communities matter.

Invite everyone to birthday parties. If a child wants to invite seven girls from a class of ten, parents could insist that the remaining three are included. This teaches children to think about those who might otherwise be left out and helps build a community in which everyone can expect to be included.

Ask who the child spent time with. Instead of asking only what the child learned or whether they had a good day, parents can ask who they were with and what they did. They can also ask whether someone or something made the child especially happy. This can provide a better insight into the child’s social wellbeing.

Talk about communities. Parents can ask which activities and situations help the class function well together. They can discuss what makes people feel part of a community and why it is important to make room for different children.