Our whole house erupts in squeals, cheers, coos, and smiles when our four-month-old granddaughter stops by. We scrunch in close, engage in a lively conversation of oohs and ahhs, and begin various antics, hoping to elicit a giggle and a grin. She is inherently aware that we are delighted to see her and want to be with her.

Wouldn't it be great if we could create this same feeling for our students? We can't underestimate its importance, especially since some of our students spend more time with us than they do with one or both parents, and not all of them are fortunate enough to come from homes where they experience being the light of adult lives.

When the brain is in a safe state and emotions are positive, information can be passed to the memory-making and thinking networks in the brain. Setting the tone for each day, and enhancing experiences and the learning environment for our students can start with a simple mantra: comfort matters.

We can do a lot to lift the comfort level in our rooms:

• Provide different seating options to meet the needs of all learners: chairs, floor, and rugs.
• Ensure that all seats and desks are at a proper height for students.
• Make pillows as an art project that students can use at their seats or on the floor.  
• Allow students to bring in a family photo to display throughout the room.
• Provide choice—students are more comfortable when they have some say in what they do, read, or participate in.
• Play soft music—many students are distracted by sniffles, pencil writing, and squeaking chairs. Soft music becomes the white noise of comfort.
• Start the day with Read to Self—Use this time to check in with every child, putting a positive frame on their day.

And of course, greet each child as they enter our rooms with a squeal over a won game, successful recital, finished homework, new haircut, and so on. Let's make our classrooms a place of connection and belonging, where all students, even our hard ones, feel that we are glad they are there. 

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