TLC: Time, Love, Connection
TLC is a structure for a subset of children to receive unconditional, consistent, positive attention from an adult who is not their current classroom teacher. TLC takes place one time each day with a trusted adult.
Why does this work?
Students may feel most connected to an adult other than their teacher. TLC gives them consistent attention from this trusted adult at a predictable time (and may prevent the child using misbehavior to gain their attention).
Students who struggle with behavior may feel tension with their classroom teacher. An impartial adult can more naturally focus on an unconditionally positive connection.
How are students & adults identified?
A school-wide survey helps identify children who might not feel safe or connected to adults or peers at school, and gives them a chance to identify a trusted adult.
A trusted adult may be anyone who works in the building daily, including teachers, custodial teams, and the principal. School staff volunteer to participate as trusted adults for TLC.
What happens during TLC?
Once per day, students spend 3-5 minutes with their trusted adult.
The child and adult spend a few minutes chatting purely for the purposes of building and maintaining a caring relationship.
