This year, our 4th grade classroom has been using a strategy called Soft Starts to help students begin each day feeling calm, focused, and ready to learn.
A Soft Start is a short period of time at the beginning of the school day when students engage in quiet, low-stress activities instead of jumping right into academic work. Students enter the classroom before the morning bell rings and may choose to read, draw, build, write, or talk quietly with classmates while soft music plays in the background. These activities allow students to gently transition from home to school.
Many children arrive at school carrying big emotions, tiredness, or stress from their morning. Soft Starts give them time to settle their bodies and minds in a safe and welcoming environment. When students feel regulated and connected, they are better able to focus, solve problems, and treat others with kindness.
There have been many positive changes since using Soft Starts. Our classroom feels calmer, students are more engaged, and learning time is more productive. Students are also building stronger relationships with their peers as they start each day in a relaxed and supportive way. We are proud to create a school environment where every student feels ready to learn from the very first moment of the day.