The moment you walk through the doors of a school, the atmosphere of the environment you are entering is bound to influence your outlook of the school and how you think, feel, and react thereon. School culture refers to the unwritten rules the schools follow, such as, the ambiance, the humanity, the code of conduct, the manner of interaction among the students and among the teachers and staff of the school. School culture also comprises religiosity, autonomy over decision-making, and who holds the decision-making power, whether students and staff members are divided based on religious or linguistic disparities, etc.

It is a known fact that children are affected by and in turn, affect school culture. Children require tender love, care, and support in the environments they spend the most amount of time in. Here are some ways in which school culture impacts children:

• Learning capabilities
• Social behavior
• Emotional strength
• Moral development

Learning Capabilities:

Learning anything which is new or adding to existing knowledge can be a tedious task, especially for children. Despite being born with certain capabilities and talent we are constantly learning. A positive school culture would be one where a child feels comfortable at school. When children believe they are safe to talk to their teachers and can open up about their hardships, they communicate better. This allows teachers to identify the problem areas and work together with the children to come up with an innovative solution.

We all remember how our parents struggled to teach us basic concepts for hours, but that one teacher made it seem so easy and a lot more fun. This is because children tend to be more receptive to teachers in an environment that is dedicated to learning. Thus, positive school culture can make learning fun for students along with accelerating their academic performance.

Social Behavior:

Every school has a vision and motto that they use as guiding lights in achieving their mission and shaping their school’s culture. This is reflected in various decision-making such as the hiring of teachers and staff members, activities to be included in the school curriculum, recess and break timings, etc.

The bulk of one’s childhood is spent at school. The interaction with other children and adults hailing from different social backgrounds will provide children with insight into different perspectives, cultures, and languages. All this factors into the holistic development of a child’s social behavior. Positive school culture is one that is thoughtful, inclusive, and nurturing. These traits when observed by children, tend to implement the same in their lives. This can be beneficial to them, their families, and in the long run, the society at large.

Emotional Strength:

Our childhood experiences are not just passing phenomena. Challenges and experiences faced during our school days prepare us for life ahead. A school culture that encourages close relationships between teachers and peers records fewer students reporting emotional problems, feelings of depression, and anxiety.

Research shows that the relationship between mental health, emotional wellbeing, and positive school culture is tremendous. This is attributed to factors like – feeling safe at school, supportive peers and teachers, feeling a sense of belongingness to one’s school. When a child experiences this, they are better equipped to face changes, when they are faced with them.

Moral Development:

Morals play a critical role in determining human behavior. School culture plays a significant role in shaping a child’s personality that is determined by strong values, superior principles, self-sacrifice, and pro-social activities. Morals such as integrity, equality, truthfulness, justice, and politeness are valued and required of all people, regardless of race or color.

An Inclusive environment and positive school culture is instrumental in instilling such values in a child. School culture determines whether students can make their own decisions or must rely on those made by staff or administrators. They follow school norms and disciplines, adhere to guidelines and practices required and admired in their institutions, participate in various traditions, activities, and rituals, and ultimately this moral development is represented throughout their lives.

Conclusion

The notion of school culture has been around since the 1930s. Sociologist – Willard Waller mentions in his book, “Every school has a culture of its own, with set rituals and folkways. They also have a moral code that shapes behavior and relationships.”

As children, we spend the majority of our time in an educational institution, making this the primary place for forming relationships. We pick up on the social cues imparted by these institutions instinctively. Thus, the ambiance, atmosphere, feelings, and interactions in school weave into our lives, impacting the minds and behavior of its members. School culture has the power to influence a child’s focus, commitment, motivation, and productivity. Thus, it is crucial that we foster a positive school culture.

At CGR we believe in giving our staff and students an environment apt for holistic learning and development of our students. Our priority is to provide a safe space where every need is heard and catered for. Learn more about us at link.