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The elementary years are rich with opportunities to establish a love of learning, support social-emotional growth, and form trusting relationships with peers and adults alike.

When we build protective factors early in students’ lives—such as connection, agency, and a sense of purpose—we help them understand what they need in order to thrive as engaged learners. These early investments pay dividends, preparing students for the challenges of adolescence, secondary school, and adulthood–not just academically, but socially and emotionally as well.

So where can schools start? Here are three ways to plant the seeds of engagement that grow into a love of learning, motivation, and curiosity.

Leverage Curiosity to Drive Engagement

Elementary school is a critical time for cognitive and emotional development. The natural curiosity children bring to school presents an ideal opportunity to build the foundations of academic engagement and future success. At this stage, students are not only developing essential math and literacy skills, but also forming the academic habits and mindsets that will guide them for years to come.

Research confirms that early engagement plays a key role in long-term outcomes, including academic achievement and school completion (Rosário et al., 2016; Fredricks et al., 2004). When students are engaged—interested, involved, and invested—they are more likely to perform well and retain what they learn. Conversely, low engagement in the early years can hinder students from reaching their full potential (Bodovski & Farkas, 2007).

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