Keep calm and study on: Promoting quiet spaces around schools and homes

In Australia, the end of January signals the start of a new school year. I believe this is a good time to reflect on our teaching and learning at schools and homes with the intention of a fresh start.

As a primary school teacher and a researcher of spirituality in education, I view children’s teaching and learning through a spiritual lens. This is supported by the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration, which states that the Australian government and education institutions are committed to supporting children in developing a sense of spiritual wellbeing, along with physical, emotional, mental, and cultural wellbeing.

This poses the question: What is spiritual wellbeing?

The concept of spirituality can be understood in various ways by people. Despite the different perspectives, it can be agreed that practising silence and having a calm mind are important aspects of experiencing spiritual wellbeing for adults as well as children.

Silence presents opportunities for contemplation, connection to self, and rejuvenation.

Consequently, when I work at different schools, I notice a level of noise that’s accepted, maintained, and consciously or unconsciously promoted.

Through my observations, I offer a concept of a calm school. In addition, I suggest that parents can support their children’s learning by creating a quiet space at home.

Calm schools for calm minds

Research shows higher noise levels at schools negatively impact on learning and productivity, as well as student and teacher wellbeing. An interesting 2016 study displayed a LED sign that indicated the accurate noise level. This visual feedback prompted the teachers and students to keep the noise at acceptable and moderate levels. Moderate noise levels in class promote the environment where students can focus and concentrate on their tasks.

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s 1990 concept of “flow” relates to the state of complete concentration with the activity at hand. By experiencing flow, students can feel happy and be more creative with their activity, as they’re completely absorbed in it.

This leads us to consider whether students are presented with opportunities where they can be completely absorbed in their tasks. This is where the idea of calm school fits in.

Within a calm school, unnecessary noise is avoided, creating a relaxed and calm environment. The benefits of having a calm school are increased focus and productivity in classroom tasks, as well as having an opportunity to engage deeply with the activity, which in turn results in improved learning.

A calm school has a deliberate flow of activities and moderate noise level. This doesn’t mean forced silence on students; rather, it relates to constructive conversations interspersed with periods of silence throughout the day.

This will enable schools to produce creative and calm moments in the busy and hectic school day.

Strategies for a calm school

Increasing the use of visual and non-verbal cues for classroom instructions

Teachers can write instructions on a whiteboard, or hold up cue cards for daily activities such as getting their books out of their tubs, or pairing up with their friend for an activity. Instead of using verbal instructions, teachers can use written or pictorial cues. Additionally, using actions for common instructions might be a quiet and fun way to communicate with all children.

Incorporating quiet ways to mark transition between activities

Teachers can use number cards to count down from 10 to one, or hold up their fingers instead of calling out the numbers. Many teachers use soft music or a bell to mark the transition. Again, written and pictorial cues can work perfectly.

Inculcating the habit of working in silence on independent tasks

Collaboration is a well-recognised teaching and learning approach, and this requires communication with others. However, there are times when students are working on their individual tasks. This is an excellent opportunity for them to work in silence, and attend to what is in front of them.

Making a conscious effort to speak softly in class

Having a moderate level of noise in the classroom by teachers and students eliminates the need for students to talk loudly over each other.

Allocating specific times for announcements made on the loudspeakers

Many schools make announcements over the loudspeaker. While this is an effective way to communicate with the whole school, limiting the times of these announcements will allow interruption-free time for students to focus on their work.

Creating an outdoor space for quiet interactions

Playtimes are a good opportunity to practise a calm mind in a space dedicated to quiet activities, such as sandpits, flower gardens, or vegetable gardens. This will provide an option for students to have a quiet play, preferably away from the playground or an oval.

Using mindfulness/meditation programs to help students practise the skill of silence and attention

Many schools incorporate some kind of mindfulness, meditation, or stillness practice. This provides a good starting point for students to get into the habit of maintaining silence and calm mind, which can then be transferred to other activities that require attention.

By maintaining a calm environment, schools are able to provide students with uninterrupted learning time that also supports their spiritual wellbeing. And, this is what makes the idea of creating calm schools for calm minds a worthwhile endeavour.

Creating a quiet space at home

Parental support is a significant factor in students’ academic success, and children learn better when parents are involved in their learning.

This involvement relates to school-based and non-school-based aspects of your child’s learning. In particular, in relation to home-based parental involvement, creating a quiet space at home is significant.

This space in the home is one of the ways to allow children to experience “flow” while fully engaging with their activity. Older children can use this space to complete their schoolwork, and younger children can engage in activities such as reading, listening to music, art and craft activities, or any other creative work.

It helps children unwind from a busy day at kindergarten or school, and provides them with time to relax and settle down mentally and emotionally.

A quiet space at home is an area where children can work quietly, away from noise and distractions. The main purpose of having this quiet space is to help children work silently, because it’s in these moments of silence that existing learning is consolidated and something new is created.

Focusing on a task at hand without interruption helps children experience the internal motivation, leading to highest productivity and fulfilment.

How to create a quiet space at home

• Choose an indoor or outdoor space in your home where you can create an atmosphere of rest and calm.

• Prepare this area to make it comfortable by having a table and chairs, a couch or a cosy rug, bean bags, or cushions.

• Ensure the location of this space in your home is away from noisy surroundings.

• Ensure this space is less cluttered but not necessarily devoid of any furniture.

• A well-lit space with natural light is ideal.

After creating this space, it’s important to familiarise children with it, and demonstrate how to use it. Watching parents work silently in this space will enable children to follow the lead.

Moreover, incorporating quiet time within the daily schedule will encourage children to use this space regularly. Developing the focus and attention early in the lives of your children benefits them in the long run, and is an excellent way to support their learning at home.

Through maintaining positive interaction with the child, parents can promote internal motivation and build confidence. If children see their parents reading, writing, drawing, or painting silently, they’ll find motivation to do it as well.

With busy family lives and outside school activities, it may not be possible to have a fixed quiet time each day. However, working around individual family commitments and finding time when possible certainly would help children.