One primary benefit that occurs with looping is that the teacher and students already know each other, including each other's names, personalities and classroom rules. Because of this, both teachers and students avoid starting from scratch the second year of learning. They are able to pick up learning right where it was left off the previous year. With looping, it often feels like the students took a long vacation rather than are starting a whole new school year.
Teachers that loop learn the student's strengths and weaknesses and are able to teach more effectively because of this. This offers both a benefit to the teacher and the students. Teachers already know the students well and can handle instruction and discipline more appropriately. Effective learning for students may also help teachers feel a better sense of accomplishment and satisfaction with their jobs. With first and second graders, this is extremely important. Students at these grade levels learn the foundation of basic educational instruction and it is important for students to master certain objectives before moving on to higher grades.
Students feel more stable in a class that they are accustomed to, especially at the ages of first and second grade. This may help increase the students' confidence and reduce their anxiety. Students who are involved in the looping process learn the classroom rules and expectations of the teacher and are therefore more likely to follow them and work hard to complete the teacher's requests. According to the University of Oregon, schools in Attleboro, Massachusetts reported fewer discipline problems in classes where looping took place. Other student benefits include the ability to develop stronger, more meaningful relationships with their classmates, and the opportunity to receive more individualized instruction from the teacher. Students who are challenged in some way also benefit from the consistency and stability that looping offers. With looping, the need to relearn expectations and procedures is eliminated.
Parents often benefit from looping as well while their children are in first and second grades. They are able to communicate more easily with a teacher they've had the opportunity to get to know. Also, they will better understand what the teacher expects from the students. They also may notice more confidence in their children and see their children's relationships with classmates develop.