Ecological Systems Theory can help teachers understand that students’ learning and wellbeing are influenced by many interconnected factors, not just what happens in the classroom. In contexts of conflict and displacement, children may face challenges such as family stress, poverty, language barriers, trauma, or lack of stability at home.

By considering different system levels, teachers can:

• Microsystem: better support students in the classroom by understanding their daily experiences and emotional needs
• Mesosystem: build stronger connections with families and communities to gain deeper insight into students’ situations
• Exosystem and Macrosystem: recognise how wider factors like government policies, conflict, cultural differences, and inequality affect access to education and opportunities

This understanding helps teachers respond more effectively by adapting their teaching methods, providing emotional support, and creating a safe, inclusive learning environment that supports both learning and wellbeing.