In today's digital age, data is crucial for understanding how the forces of the modern world impact our lives. If you’ve been following Life Skills GO, even just for a short while, you’ll know that one important way we can use data is by measuring and improving student wellbeing. Collecting this data consistently can revolutionise how schools approach mental, emotional, and physical health. 

Let's explore 7 reasons why regularly checking in on students' emotions is vital for schools and how it can help students succeed beyond their school years.

Let's dive in!

1. Validation of feelings

Helping students to name their emotions validates their experiences. It acknowledges that their feelings are real and deserving of recognition. This validation can boost students' self-esteem and self-worth, reinforcing the idea that emotions are valid and should be acknowledged rather than suppressed or ignored.

When students know their voice is being heard it is a natural progression towards co-regulation with their peers and their own self-regulation because their confidence in sharing is validated. 

2. Personal awareness & growth

Collecting consistent wellbeing data offers schools a unique window into students’ overall health and happiness. By tracking students' emotional states over time, schools can identify trends and patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. This data-driven approach also encourages self-reflection, helping students gain insights into their own behaviours, and reactions. Recognising these patterns or reactions can lead to personal growth, self-awareness, and the development of healthy habits. 

3. Evidence-based decision making

Collecting consistent wellbeing data provides a solid foundation for making informed decisions. For example, analysing when students are at their peak level of focus or readiness to learn arms a school with the ability to alter routines to achieve their strategic goals. And can be used in triangulation to gain better and deeper insights in real time.

4. Tailored improvement strategies

Every student is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Consistently collecting wellbeing data allows schools to identify students who are regularly identifying that they are experiencing large emotions to tailor strategies for their wellbeing improvement. By recording how they are feeling, and noting the effects of various self-regulation and reflection techniques, students can identify what truly helps them manage their emotions and take control of their personal development.

5. Be preventative

Often when an incident occurs on the playground, the telltale signs only surface afterward. By tracking emotional wellbeing data over time, schools can identify early warning signs of potential behavioural incidents by analysing patterns and trends in the responses of their students. Detecting issues at an early stage allows for timely intervention, potentially avoiding the escalation to a major incident and leading to improved long-term outcomes, not just for the individual but their classroom peers. 

6. Measurement of progress & success

Collecting wellbeing data isn't just about setting and achieving goals; it's about acknowledging progress and celebrating successes, no matter how small. By consistently tracking a student’s wellbeing journey, schools can see the positive changes students have made over time and celebrate this with the student. This visual evidence of improvement can be incredibly motivating and reinforce a student’s commitment to maintaining their overall wellbeing.

7. Enhanced communication

Collecting consistent student wellbeing data has the potential to foster a culture of open and effective communication within schools. By tracking students' emotional states and overall wellbeing over time, educators and administrators gain valuable insights into the factors that may impact students' overall experience. This data-driven approach allows schools to identify trends and patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed, enabling them to proactively address potential challenges.

Armed with this information, teachers and support staff can engage in more meaningful and targeted conversations with students and the wider school community, including parents and carers. Creating a collaborative environment where everyone is better equipped to understand and support the needs of the student.

CONCLUSION

We know data drives innovation and progress. Collecting consistent emotional wellbeing data is a powerful tool for schools. From fostering personal awareness and growth to making evidence-based decisions, the power of student driven data equips schools with the ability to understand, value and care for every student at the school.

By embracing the practice of consistent wellbeing data collection, schools will not only provide students the opportunity to take control of their own personal development but also foster a collaborative environment centred on a proactive and preventative approach to student wellbeing.