Belonging
Belonging is defined as:
'a feeling of being happy or comfortable as part of a particular group and having a good relationship with the other members of the group because they welcome you and accept you.'
In an educational context this means children and young people feeling like they are accepted, valued and included by their peers, by teachers and by the wider community. It is not a passive process, but a context where everyone feels that their contributions and presence matterso that they feel both emotionally and socailly connected to others (see ascd)
Some of the main aspects of belonging include:
- Inclusion: Making sure everyone is involved in classroom and wider activities in the community.
- Acceptance: Feeling welcomed and respected for who you are
- Recognition: Having your identity and background acknowledged
- Connection: Building meaningful and positive relationships with peers and adults.
- Safety: Feeling emotionally and psychologically security in teh educational environment
Belonging is necessary for building a successful experince in educational contexts. It is a fundamental human need which is core for for learning and a sense of well-being. Indivdiuals who feel a sense of belonging will engage more academically and will also attend school more regularly. Becasue they are accepted for who they are they will also have the opportunity to build a greater number of positive relationships. By fostering this tangle of processes there is a greater chance that children and young people will make a success of their educational experiences.