Kids are getting ruder in the classroom. This researcher explains why

Summary

A recent study reveals that the pandemic and subsequent school closures not only disrupted students' learning but also led to increased rudeness and disruptive behaviors in classrooms. Interviews with teachers and students show a significant rise in incivility, such as talking over teachers and using phones during class. Experts suggest that excessive screen time and blurred boundaries between home and school contributed to these issues. To address this, experts recommend prioritizing face-to-face interactions, teaching social skills, and introducing classes on empathy and civility to create a more productive learning environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pandemic school closures disrupted not only learning but also led to increased rudeness in students' behavior.
• 😀 42% of teachers in Ontario reported daily classroom incivility post-pandemic, a stark rise from only 6% before.
• 😀 In Quebec, 83% of French teachers believe rudeness has increased among students over the last two years.
• 😀 Common disruptive behaviors include students packing up early, talking over teachers, and excessive phone use during lessons.
• 😀 Increased online time during the pandemic is linked to the rise in rude and disrespectful behaviors in classrooms.
• 😀 Some students struggle to distinguish between home and school rules, leading to inappropriate behaviors like phone calls during class.
• 😀 Experts recommend more face-to-face interactions for children to develop essential social skills that were once learned naturally.
• 😀 Child psychiatrists advocate for prioritizing in-person peer and adult interactions to help students regain lost social skills.
• 😀 Classes focusing on empathy and civility could potentially improve classroom dynamics and foster better learning environments.
• 😀 There's a growing need for education on empathy and civility to address the rising levels of disrespect in schools.

Q & A

What impact did the pandemic have on children's behavior in the classroom?

The pandemic not only disrupted students' learning but also contributed to increased rudeness and disruptive behaviors in classrooms, such as packing up early, talking while the teacher is speaking, and using phones during lessons.

How much did instances of classroom incivility increase after the pandemic?

According to a survey conducted in 2022, 42% of teachers reported that classroom incivility occurred daily, compared to only 6% before the pandemic.

What are some specific examples of disruptive behaviors that have been observed?

Examples include students talking over each other, being disrespectful, and a lack of consideration for classroom rules, such as using phones during lessons or leaving class without permission.

What was the finding of the French teachers' union in Quebec regarding rudeness in schools?

A survey of around 7,000 members of the French teachers' union in Quebec found that 83% believed rudeness had increased in the past two years.

What do experts believe is causing this increase in disruptive behavior?

Experts suggest that the rise in disruptive behavior is likely linked to the increased time children spent online during the pandemic, as well as a lack of understanding among some students that school has different rules compared to home.

How do children often misunderstand the expectations at school?

Some children struggle to differentiate between home and school environments, leading to behaviors such as making phone calls during class or leaving the classroom to get snacks without permission.

What solution does a child psychiatrist suggest for addressing these issues?

The child psychiatrist recommends prioritizing face-to-face interactions with peers and adults to help children develop social skills and emotional intelligence that might otherwise be underdeveloped due to excessive screen time.

What kind of social skills development do experts suggest is necessary for children?

Experts suggest that children need more opportunities to develop social skills and emotional intelligence, including learning empathy and civility, which used to be naturally integrated into daily social interactions.

Why is there a need for teaching empathy and civility in schools?

Teaching empathy and civility is important to create a more productive and respectful learning environment, as these skills have become less emphasized in the digital age, where social interactions are increasingly mediated by screens.

What is the main takeaway from the research on classroom incivility post-pandemic?

The main takeaway is that the pandemic has not only disrupted students' academic progress but also their social behavior, leading to increased rudeness and disrespect in classrooms, which experts believe can be mitigated through more face-to-face social interaction and deliberate teaching of social skills.