The "2x10" Strategy: How 20 Minutes Can Transform Student Relationships

Are you a teacher feeling the familiar grind with a student who's just not clicking? Perhaps they’re often disengaged, consistently push back on boundaries or maybe they just seem unreachable. It's easy to get caught in a cycle of focusing only on behaviour, grades or unfinished homework, which can ironically deepen the divide.

But what if I told you that just 20 minutes of your time, spread out over two school weeks, could be one of the most powerful interventions you have?

Welcome to the simple, yet profound, world of the "2x10" Strategy.

 

What is the "2x10" Strategy?

The "2x10" strategy is an evidence-backed approach designed to rapidly build rapport and trust with a student who is struggling with engagement or exhibiting challenging behaviour. It’s a purposeful, short-term investment that yields long-term returns in the classroom.

Here’s the simple breakdown:

• 2 Minutes: The length of time you spend with the student each day.
• 10 Days: The consecutive number of school days you implement the strategy.

That's it. Two minutes a day for ten days, targeting a specific student you feel you need to reconnect with. The total commitment is just 20 minutes of chat time. A tiny slice of your day but it’s the content and consistency that make the magic happen.

 

The Golden Rule: Talk About Anything But School

This is the most crucial, non-negotiable part of the "2x10" strategy. The goal is to see the student as a person first, separate from their role as your student.

When you engage with them, you must strictly avoid any discussion of:

• Grades or marks.
• Homework or assignments.
• Classroom behaviour or discipline issues.

Your conversation should be focused purely on their interests, hobbies, family or anything else they care about outside the four walls of the classroom.

 

Examples of Chat Starters:

To help you kick off an authentic conversation, try some of these no-pressure lines:

• Hi, [Student's Name]. I heard you like footy—are you following the AFL/NRL this season? What was the best game on the weekend?”
• “I noticed that band tee you were wearing. What kind of music are you into right now? Got any good recommendations?”
• “What did you get up to on the weekend? See any good movies or spend any time down at the beach?”
• “If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?”

 

Why Does This Simple Strategy Work?

The "2x10" strategy taps into fundamental psychological and relational needs:

1. It Addresses the Need to Belong

Often, disengagement stems from a feeling of being disconnected or misunderstood. By consistently showing genuine interest, you satisfy the student’s innate need for a positive connection. When a student feels seen and valued as an individual, their willingness to engage in the academic setting and adhere to expectations naturally increases. You're building social capital with them.

 

2. It Replaces Negative Interactions

For a challenging student, a teacher's interactions are often focused on correction or critique. This reinforces a negative self-concept and a defensive stance toward the teacher. The "2x10" strategy deliberately floods the relationship with positive, personal and non-contingent attention (it’s not tied to performance). This resets the relational dynamic and builds a foundation of trust.

 

3. It's a Consistent, Low-Investment Commitment

Consistency is key. The commitment of 10 consecutive days communicates to the student that this is not a one-off attempt; it's a reliable, dedicated investment. Because it's only two minutes, it is highly sustainable for a busy teacher. It can be done as the student walks into the room, while they're packing up or during a short break.

Putting It Into Practice: Tips for Success

1. Select Your Student: Choose one specific student who you believe would benefit most from a renewed connection. Commit to them for the 10 days.
2. Be Genuine: Your body language, tone and eye contact must convey sincerity. If you seem rushed or distracted, the effort will backfire.
3. Find the Time: Schedule it. Use a note on your desk or your diary to remind you. It’s easier to find two minutes right before class, during a transition or immediately after lunch.
4. Listen More Than You Talk: Ask open-ended questions and practice active listening. Nod, affirm and offer short, encouraging responses. The focus is on them.

The Payoff: More Than Just Two Minutes

What happens after those 10 days? Teachers who implement the "2x10" often report a noticeable change:

• The student's initial resistance to the teacher breaks down.
• Eye contact improves and the student may even start greeting the teacher first.
• The student becomes more willing to accept direction or corrective feedback because the relationship foundation is solid.
• There's a tangible improvement in classroom participation and a decrease in low-level disruption.

The "2x10" isn't a quick fix for every issue but it is an unparalleled, high-impact tool for establishing the fundamental bedrock of all successful teaching: a positive, authentic student-teacher relationship. Give it a go, you might be amazed at the transformation 20 minutes can bring to your classroom this term!

 

Sources

The "2x10" Strategy is widely attributed to Dr. Laura Riffel and is a common technique recommended by experts in trauma-informed practice and relational discipline.

• Riffel, L. (2007). The 2x10 Strategy. Behavioral Resources.
• Mendler, A. N. (2012). Discipline with Dignity: How to Handbook. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).
• Numerous educational behaviour management resources and professional development modules (often citing the above sources) advocate for this strategy under the banners of relationship building and reducing challenging behaviour.