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TUITION-FREE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL SERVING PRE-K THROUGH 6TH GRADES

Emotionally Responsive Practice

Emotionally Responsive Practice

 

NBFA is a Pre-K through 6th-grade public charter school with emotionally responsive practices (ERP). This student-centered approach weaves well-child strategies into every classroom while encouraging experience-based learning and inspiring children to make sense of the world around them through hands-on activities both inside and outside the classroom. 

  

Definition of ERP:   

ERP is a relationship-based approach grounded in a deep understanding of child development and acknowledgment of the role that students’ life experiences play in their ability to learn. 

  

  Core Beliefs:  

  1. Children need adult partners to master foundational developmental milestones for social and emotional well-being and learning. 
  2. Strong and supportive relationships with adults at school equip children to regain balance and create greater receptivity to learning. 
  3. Children whose teachers are warm and empathic are more likely to develop positive peer relationships. 

  

Key Pillars of ERP (Click "ERP at NBFA" link below for more detail):

  1. Personal Wellness 
  2. Empathic Relationships and Safe Spaces for Children 
  3. Balanced Classrooms and Predictability 
  4. Self-Regulation for students 
Lesley Koplow Quote
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) New Beginnings Family Academy believes that building relationships with students and understanding what their needs are is central to educating the whole child. Thus, NBFA makes sure staff members are trained and have continued access to coaching in SEL-based, relationship-building techniques. 

 

To learn more about NBFA's Comfort Bears curriculum, click here.

  

As a member of Bank Street’s Community of Emotionally Responsive Schools, NBFA uses techniques and strategies that ensure students’ emotional and academic needs are met. The culturally and emotionally responsive curriculum allows teachers and staff to address unresolved issues and enhance children's attention and motivation for learning. 

  

Some of NBFA's SEL goals are to: 

  • Build meaningful relationships with every student to deeply understand their needs.  
  • Provide integrated instruction that makes learning exciting and relevant to students. 
  • Facilitate learning in a way that affirms and respects students’ individual needs, styles and interests. 
  • Weave emotionally-responsive practices into all of our classrooms to enable all students to learn optimally. 
 
ERP TrainingNBFA teachers and staff train on social-emotional learning techniques using comfort bears.