Building strong relationships with your students using the PACE model

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Building strong relationships with your students using the PACE model

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As teachers, one of the most powerful tools we have isn’t a lesson plan or curriculum -  it’s the relationships we build with our students. The PACE model, developed by psychologist Dan Hughes, provides a simple yet transformative framework for nurturing those relationships. PACE stands for Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy — four attitudes that, when embodied consistently, create classrooms where students feel safe, valued, and understood.

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Research on PACE-informed practice (Begle et al., 2011; Golding et al., 2020) shows that when adults approach children with these attitudes, students develop greater trust, openness, and capacity for learning. Originally designed for therapeutic contexts, PACE has now found powerful applications in education and caregiving. In schools, it helps students regulate emotions, strengthen social skills, and engage more fully in their learning.

By embedding PACE into everyday interactions, teachers can do more than deliver content - they can transform the classroom into a space of academic growth, emotional development, and lasting connection.

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What does this look like in a classroom?

To effectively incorporate the PACE model into the classroom, teachers must be intentional and consistent in their approach.
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P - Playfulness

Playfulness is all about creating a relaxed, enjoyable, and engaging classorrm atmosphere. When teaches approach students with playfulness, it helps calm the brain's more reactive areas, making space for a higher-order thinking, creativity, and curisority. Students are more relaxed, more open and more ready to learn.

Ways to cultivate playfulness:

• Use humour - tell a joke, share a funny story, or use a playful tone.
• Incorporate games and interactive activities into lessons.
• Encourage creative exploration - let students experiment and try new ideas without fear of mistakes.

Playfulness isn't just about fun - it's a tool for enhancing focus, engagement and classroom connection. When you're having fun, your students will too. If you want to learn more about the importance of play check out our blog by Child Psychiatrist Dr Nicole Quiterio. 

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A - Acceptance

Acceptance is about recognizing and valuing each student as they are, without judgment or comparison. When students feel accepted, they are more likely to take risks in learning, participate fully, and express themselves honestly.

Ways to practise acceptance:

• Focus on students’ strengths and contributions, rather than only correcting mistakes.
• Be mindful of tone and body language, as these communicate acceptance as much as words.
• Create a classroom environment that visibly represents inclusion and diversity, so all students feel seen and valued.

Acceptance builds a foundation of trust and safety, enabling students to engage more confidently in learning and social interactions.

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C - Curiosity

Curiosity involves genuinely seeking to understand your students' perspectives, thoughts, and experiences. When teachers approach students with curiosity, it communicates that their ideas matter and encourages active participation.
Ways to foster curiosity:

• Listen actively, repeat back students’ ideas, and confirm understanding.
• Provide opportunities for student voice, such as presenting ideas, leading projects, or guiding classroom decisions.

Curiosity supports critical thinking, problem-solving, and a love of learning, while strengthening teacher-student relationships, thoughts, and experiences. When teachers approach students with curiosity, it communicates that their ideas matter and encourages active participation.

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E - Empathy

Empathy is about understanding and sharing in students' feelings. It communicates that their emotions are valid and that the teacher is a supportive ally in navigating challenges.

Ways to foster curiosity:

• Put yourself in their shoes and consider how they might feel, even if you can’t fully relate.
• Acknowledge emotions openly, showing students that it’s safe to express themselves.
• Offer comfort and support when students are struggling, without rushing to fix the problem.

Empathy fosters emotional regulation, resilience, and trust, creating a classroom environment where students feel secure enough to take risks and engage deeply with learning.

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Bringing PACE into your teaching

The beauty of PACE is its flexibility. It doesn’t require a new program - it can be woven into your existing teaching style and classroom routines.

Start small:

• Add playful moments to lessons.
• Name and celebrate student strengths.
• Ask one more curious question each day.
• Pause to validate emotions when challenges arise.
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Remember, PACE is not a one-off strategy, it’s a mindset. When teachers consistently approach students with Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy, they create classrooms where students feel safe to learn, explore, and flourish.

Want to dive deeper? Explore our blog on Psychological Safety to see how PACE fits into broader strategies for building thriving learning environments.

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Why PACE matters in the classroom

Embedding Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy into everyday teaching doesn’t just improve relationships - it actively supports students’ learning, wellbeing, and development.

Research shows that when teachers use PACE-informed approaches:

• Students feel safe and supported, which reduces anxiety and increases engagement.
• Emotional regulation improves, helping students manage frustration, disappointment, and stress more effectively.
• Social skills strengthen, including cooperation, communication, and empathy toward peers.
• Academic outcomes improve, with higher motivation, participation, and retention of learning.
• Trauma-sensitive classrooms are created, offering stability and predictability for students who have experienced adversity (Begle et al., 2011; Golding et al., 2020).

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In short, PACE provides a practical framework for building trusting, responsive, and emotionally intelligent classrooms. When teachers consistently embody these four attitudes, they help students flourish academically, socially, and emotionally - creating a classroom where everyone can thrive.

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Interested in learning more about the best practice psychology frameworks for student wellbeing. Check out our FREE downloadable guide here

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References:

Begle, A. M., Dumas, J. E., & Hanson, R. F. (2011). Trauma-informed care in child welfare and education: Applying the PACE framework. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 20(5), 590–599. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-010-9440-0
Golding, K., Hughes, D., & Hedley, J. (2020). Implementing PACE-informed practice in educational settings: Supporting relational safety and engagement. Educational & Child Psychology, 37(2), 65–78.
Hughes, D. A. (2011). Attachment-focused parenting: Effective strategies to care for children. Norton & Company.
Louth, S. A. (2024). Multidisciplinary approaches to establishing trauma-informed practice in schools. Journal of Trauma & Education, 12(1), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jte.2024.01.002
Meadows Psychology Service. (2025). PACE Parenting: Playfulness and its importance.
https://meadowspsychologyservice.co.uk/the-pace-parenting-series-playfulness/
Trauma Informed Lancashire. (2024). PACE | Trauma Informed Education Toolkit. https://traumainformedlancashire.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/PACE-Trauma-Informed-Education-Toolkit.pdf