Parenting Tips for School

 

Lessons in parenting can provide lessons in education. 

Two of my favorites are a source of my information this week. Dr. Becky Kennedy and Dr. Adam Grant. Both psychology impact how I parent, in a positive way. As I utilize their wisdom in my personal life I am also able to see ways I can utilize their knowledge in my professional life. And I hope that you take some time to consider what will be shared this week. How can you utilize these parenting tips in the classroom?

Organizational Psychologist Adam Grant has a podcast called Re: Thinking with Adam Grant. On his podcast he hosted Clinical Psychologist Becky Kennedy. Dr. Kennedy is known as a parenting expert. If you have a moment check out her Instagram page. Her short advice videos will have you reflecting on your parenting/educating behaviors. During this episode of Dr. Grant's podcast the pair explored ideas in parenting that I feel we can apply to our interactions with our students.

Something that was said during the episode that really stuck out to me was a comment about the questions we ask. It was said that the questions we ask others show them the road we want to walk down with them. One example is the question that Adam Grant asks his children when they get home from school. And it is a question I have adopted and ask in my home too. The question is who did you help today? Dr. Grant shared that as he began to ask this question his wife suggested adding  who helped you today?  Dr. Grant admits that he was not fully onboard at first. He wanted to focus on his children becoming helpers and seeking ways to support others. His wife helped him understand that children need to also be taught to accept help and to let others support them. I love this idea. I have added this to Leila's daily check in after school.

How can we utilize this idea at school? The idea that the questions you ask show the path you want to take with others is powerful. What questions are you asking your students? Are you asking them if they are hungry? Are you asking them if they are alright or how they are doing? Are you check in on them? Or are you asking them why would you do that? how come you can't behave better? What path are your questions taking you down with your students? Can you do better?

Another great idea that was present was from Dr. Kennedy. She shared that she likes to take time once a month or more if she can, to spend one-on-one time with her children. She said that during this time she makes sure her phone is rooms away. During this time she askes her children for a performance review. She asks "how can I do better?" or "what do you need from me?" She shared that her children have commented on screen time, use of specific apps, etc. This opens a line of communication and chance to allow a child to feel like they are important and their opinion  matters. Dr. Kennedy shared that she is then also able to share again her view point. This is something that we can utilize at school. Ask a student what you can do better to help them, how you can better support them, or what they may need from you. It might surprise you what they say. It may create a time of self-reflection and building better understanding. You can share more clearly why you handle things the way you do or why you set up your class the way you do. It builds the relationship.

There were so many good points in the podcast. Go look it up and listen. I want to share just a couple more quick highlights.

During the conversation Dr. Kennedy said that as adults we need to get better at repair. Get good at repair. Apologize to students. Repair what has been broken. Children need to see humility. We make mistakes. 

Children need connection. They need to feel like adults care. Dr. Kennedy shared that the best advice she can give to anyone is to let children know that you believe in them. Children need to hear " I believe in you." Children also need to know what adults believe them. They need to hear "I believe you."