Who needs you to look past the problem and see the possibilities?
How do you handle problems? Punish or Teach Skills?
I hope that you took a minute to watch the link above. I love Dr. Becky Kennedy. I watch her videos and end up doing a lot of self reflection on my parenting skills and my communication with students.
In her TED talk, Rita Pierson, an educator, shares that every student needs a champion.
Our students need us to be their champions.
Our students need us to teach them skills, not punish them for lacking skills.
This week I had a great conversation with a middle school teacher. He shared that he is doing mindfulness three times a day. He went on to say that the students grumble at the beginning but he does it anyway. He stated that he knows they need it because he has observed them to be calmer after.
Our students grumble and complain when new and uncomfortable things are introduced. DO NOT GIVE UP. DO NOT GIVE IN.
Being a champion for our students looks like pushing them to try a new thing.
Being a champion for our students looks like consistency.
Being a champion for our students looks like teaching them skills (they are missing) instead of punishing them for the behavior which resulted from the lack of skills.
As we enter into testing season, it is important to take time, as adults, to ask ourselves if we are championing our students.
A mindfulness technique we can utilize is positive brain training. Make sure that each interaction focuses on a positive outlook. "I noticed you are enjoying a really good book. I hope later you can tell me all about it. Now, however, is the time for the activity I have provided."
Championing a student looks like giving them a task or job to let them know they are needed and important. Utilize a skill they have (that may need to be refocused) and use it to create a positive experience for the student (and you!). "I noticed you love to move around the room a lot in the morning, can I have you use that energy to move around and greet all of our students?"
Working with our students, in a partnership, helps them see we care builds a trusting relationship.
Another thing to think about is, “When kids feel in control, they act in control”- Dr. Becky Kennedy
You could be a students caring adult helping to build their success story.
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