Meeting Maslow in the Classroom

The instructive effort might make use of the Maslow hierarchy of needs to find out what students need in the classroom. The achievement of each level, whether it's physiological, safety, social, self-esteem, or self-actualization can direct how each distinct scholar learns. Furthermore, not surprisingly, students can be present at distinct levels, making the schoolteacher cater to various levels within the classroom.



Learners in the lowest echelon, the physiological, are often the most troublesome to teach. Due to this precise cause they require further concentration in monitoring as well as motivating. Those students who are not receiving the right amount of food or rest, are often likely to suffer from lack of motivation or desire to gain knowledge. Tutors should allot additional time and exertion to these students to help them keep alert, regularly helping them such as via tutoring or steady communication with parents or guardians.



Sliding up the ladder to safety, these are just as invaluable to achieving an education as the physiological desires. A constant fear of a lack of safety or shelter can cause a students mind to veer in a million different directions. Students living in an unsafe area or with a violent or abusive parent can suffer lifelong trauma that can affect them even after they are out of school. Educators must take special care with these students to ensure that a poor life outside of school does not inhibit their ability to learn.



Some students do not feel safe at home and that can affect their social interaction with others. Those who do not have good/peaceful upbringing, or have unsafe upbringing, do not have the required social interaction ability that is a must for those in the school going age. A child who is scared of his/her father will be negatively affected and that will slow or stop his/her social growth. This may not be possible to correct later as these students can be affected forever. One way to reduce or remove the shyness of these students is to force them to work in a group of other students. That can help them to get over their fear of dealing with other people. Even though they are forced to do it, against their will, it will be the best thing in the interest of such students.



The last two stages of esteem and self-actualization are less influential in the educational process. There reaches a point where the focus is enough that education is not impeded. While a student may lack self-esteem, they may still be able to channel their energy towards their education, perhaps making education their area of strength to build from. Give these students with low-esteem more boosts, these pushes of optimism could be just what they need to reach the next level of success.



While many school age students will not reach the level of self-actualization, nurturing all of the students, as they make their way along the Maslow Hierarchy, can enable them to reach their own varying levels of success. Maslow indicated that each person has his or her own desires required to reach the next level, and it is up to the educator to find that in each of us.