Maslow's Hierarchy theory refers to the state in which we should all be to learn to our highest level. It has five stages and each is in itself a building block to the next level. The first stage is physiological, this refers to the psychical state we should first be in i.e. food, sleep breathing, water, homeostasis, excretion and sex. when scientists say breakfast is the best start to the day it truly is. It wakes the brain and body up and provides energy for the rest of the day. We all need these basic needs to progress to the next level, if we do not we fail to learn. The second stage is safety, this is our basic need to feel safe whether it is at home, school or out in society. When in a classroom students want to be able to trust that you as a teacher will act in a responsible manor and provide a safe working environment. This can mean showing you are able to apply discipline to keep the environment this will reassure students and instil a safe place for them to learn. If students do not fell safe they will not work and will disrupt the rest of the class. Stage three is love and belonging, you need to show students that you care about them and their future as individuals. Teachers deal with over three hundred students a week but if they can show that they can at least identify each student as an individuals by knowing their names it can make the student respect and trust you. Also the way in which to act and treat students make a hugh difference to the attitudes of the students. It sounds obvious but while on placement I observed two teachers of textiles with two clearly different teaching styles. One is open, honest, friendly, and trustworthy where as the second teacher was closed off, strict, and would not tolerate noise in the classroom. The results of these approaches showed clearly in the quality of work the students created in these lessons. I feel this is the most important aspect of teaching as students want to know that you care before they want to know what you know. You have to remember that a lot of students come with a lot of baggage and some don't feel wanted and protected until their at school. I have experienced this on placement to with a student that had the worst start to life and rarely made it to any of her lessons. While on placement I observed staff working closely with her to support her through her issues and the result of this was she attend her core subjects. This shows that caring about your students and providing a haven in which they can feel safe and cared about works and helps students get into the right mind set to learn. The forth stage of Maslow's Hierarchy theory is esteem, This refers to confidence and positive reinforcement to each student. Students need to feel self confidents, achievement, respect of others and respect by others.I feel this links in well with stage three as to first get trust from a student you have to first show them some respect and trust them. To give students confidence I feel it is important to be pro-active and give endless amounts of positive reinforcement to each student. With this there work will improve and they will trust you more as a teacher. Stage five is the final stage to achieving the best level of learning, this is through self-actualisation which relates to morality, creativity, spontaneity, problem solving, lack of prejudice and acceptance of facts. Once you have crated a safe, positive, creative environment students will be able to learn to their highest level, show the creativity, problem solve without assistance and truly listen and trust that you are teaching them all of your knowledge for the benefit. Overall I think Maslow's theory is spot on and every stage can relate to any student trying to learn.