IT'S THE SMALL THINGS

The start of the school year is rolling out. Schools are opening their doors one after the other. As children go back to school, they normally are always overwhelmed with a mix of emotions. From pure excitement to fear for first timers, anxiety, sadness, happiness – it is a spectrum and a range that teachers have to deal with, most especially with early learners.

For children, there is often a reason why they feel a certain way about a specific place or concept. More often than not, these feelings and emotions are shaped by stories, but more so, by past personal experiences. Never forget that a child’s world is anything but complex – it is so simple, that it runs on routine, and almost on pure cause and effect., This is why besides teachers and schoolmates, parents play a vital role in shaping the experience of a child in school.

A parent must never fail to give their children affirmation. This is something that must be given wholeheartedly and abundantly. Children with a secure sense of self will be confident. And that confidence will be their personal armor as they thread through new territory. Confident students are less likely to develop learned helplessness – they are more likely to focus on the end goal, and keep on trying until it is achieved. Confident kids are smart learners and happy kids!

Positive reinforcement is also heavily encouraged when dealing with young learners because it gives, rather than negative reinforcement (also known as punishment) that takes away from self-esteem. I am not saying that bad behavior should be rewarded because I believe in the opposite – it should be reprimanded, but in a fair and logical manner. Children do not misbehave because they want to. They do so because they do not know any better. Oftentimes, it is because they want attention, or, they simply need to be taught right from wrong. With proper age-appropriate explanations, children will obey. I am of the belief that all children are inherently good.

So let us be generous with our affirmations. Not only, but especially with our children. After all, in shaping them positively, we are contributing to tomorrow’s society as we mold our future leaders.