Finally, we found that the relationship the child forms with his or her teacher matters. Children who experience a close relationship with their teacher become more engaged in classroom activities, learn, and achieve more. This close relationship with the teacher becomes a support system for the child. It provides nurturance and valuable emotional and social support. A close relationship with a teacher can help the child learn how to make friends and how to solve problems.
Some children have a dependent relationship with their teacher.
These children shy away from activities and hang around their teacher a lot. They depend on their teacher for their support. We find that this type of teacher relationship isn't as important to long-term outcomes. Children seem to outgrow their dependence on the teacher as they mature. I'll mention two findings we were somewhat surprised by.