Develop a sense of safety and connection in our youth

Research shows that a sense of belonging has a profound effect on the physical, mental, and social well-being of children and adolescents. Yet, current events, including the decline of community and rising tensions over racial and economic inequalities, have endangered that fragile and critical component--and nowhere is this felt more acutely than in schools.

In Belonging, the author, who has spent decades working with the most challenging students, provides research-based strategies to strengthen relationships, build inclusive classrooms, develop trust, and foster a sense of psychological safety. Readers will find:

• Vignettes demonstrating how belonging applies to a variety of learning contexts
• Research around mindsets, the development of empathy, and community-building
• Sections dedicated to equity and inclusion
• Strategies teachers can directly apply in their classrooms

With his deep knowledge of education, behavior, and neuroscience, Dustin Bindreiff provides a fresh look at the troubling issues our students face and provides practical strategies for building a more hopeful future.