The recent topic of discussions, during the pandemic, among the educationalists has been on the concept of Socio-Emotional learning (SEL), which has been recognized as a process through which people, in this context, the students, understand and manage their emotions, achieve goals, develop a sense of empathy for others, etc. This helps them maintain positive relations and are able to, henceforth, make responsible choices. Developing SEl among the students creates a positive school atmosphere where the students can learn efficiently. 

Talking about safe spaces, they are the places or corners where a student can go to relax or calm down or recharge themselves. This helps them become ready to learn. These spaces are the zones where the students are provided with tools to manage and regulate their emotions. With the changes happening around the globe post the pandemic, the academic system has been hit badly, with the students being the sufferers. Being locked up at their homes and a digital platform to connect with their friends and teachers, the stress levels among them have increased manifolds. With the gradual opening up of the schools, what is required is to create these spaces for the students to relax enough to be able to learn. They, thus, act as tools that promote healing and healthy life skill.

While it is a relatively new topic for the students, the teachers should introduce this concept gradually, where they can start by telling the students the purpose of the same. Discussions and dialogues can be done with the students where they can be told different strategies to calm down from an anxious or stressful state. Guidance and help from the students can be taken on how to design a safe space. There can be a few strategies that can be taught to the students, which can promote their Socio-Emotional Learning. Teach them breathing exercises. Breathing in and out at regular intervals helps the brain shut off the fight or flight mode and relaxes it. It helps the child calm down. 

Students often feel or are taught that speaking about one's emotions portrays them as weak and emotionally vulnerable. Students should be taught to identify how they are feeling as labeling an emotion makes it easier to manage it. You can have the children draw emojis or faces or create a how are you feeling chart so that the students are aware of their emotions and are ready to deal with one. Once the students are aware of their feelings, they can then choose an activity or a task that can help them self-regulate. Drawing a picture, hugging a friend, reading a book, squeezing a stress ball, or simply talking to someone, can help students self-regulate. This completes the process that a child would do in a safe place.

Along with that, the students should be told the importance of failure is equally important to be successful. The success of the children can be appreciated and the failures should be taught to be embraced. Failures often stress students a lot and hence, the importance of safe places can be pitched in. Being in a state of stress, missing someone, having a bad day, worrying about a test or the scores, etc. can make learning difficult. Therefore, the students should be allowed a few minutes to manage their emotions so that they are able to focus on their work and studies. Creating a safe space and making the students understand its importance takes time but in the long run, it will help in increasing the teaching time and hence improve the teaching-learning outcome.  

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