Teaching Skills for Life With C.A.R.E.S.

At the heart of the Responsive Classroom approach is a core belief: In order to thrive in and out of school, students need to develop key social and behavioral skills. That’s why we focus on five essential competencies known as the C.A.R.E.S. skills:

• Cooperation – Working productively with others toward a common goal
• Assertiveness – Expressing thoughts and needs respectfully and confidently
• Responsibility – Taking ownership of choices, actions, and learning
• Empathy – Understanding and valuing the perspectives and feelings of others
• Self-control – Managing emotions and behaviors to make positive choices

These skills are the foundation for building strong relationships, creating positive school communities, and supporting academic success. When teachers intentionally teach and reinforce the C.A.R.E.S. skills, students become more confident, connected, and engaged in their learning.

How Responsive Classroom Practices Support C.A.R.E.S.

Responsive Classroom practices are designed to help students build and strengthen the C.A.R.E.S. skills every day. For example:

• Morning Meeting and closing circle build cooperation and empathy as students greet one another, share ideas, and reflect together.
• Interactive Modeling supports responsibility and self-control by showing students exactly what successful behaviors look and sound like.
• Academic Choice encourages assertiveness by empowering students to make decisions about their learning and share their ideas confidently.
• Logical consequences help students understand how their actions impact others, reinforcing empathy and responsibility.

By weaving these practices into daily classroom routines, teachers create a supportive environment where students have consistent opportunities to practice cooperation, assertiveness, responsibility, empathy, and self-control.

When students are equipped with these skills, they not only excel academically but also become stronger members of their school and broader communities.

Learn More in a Responsive Classroom Training

Want to explore more ways to teach and reinforce the C.A.R.E.S. skills in your classroom or school community? Responsive Classroom courses and workshops give educators practical strategies to help students thrive academically and socially.

Book a meeting and find the right training to bring to your school.