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How to Make A Difference for Kids
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | May 21, 2008
“To improve the golden moment of opportunity, and catch the good that is within our reach, is the great art of life.”
- Samuel Johnson
Because I believe wholeheartledly in the idea that kids will flourish in an atmosphere where we “catch them doing something right,” I am going to start adding information to this blog that I think will provide ideas and inspiration that anyone can use to improve relationships with kids.
The point is, of course, that kids who feel comfortable and accepted in school will not only want to stay there, but are likely to do better and learn more.
So, here are some simple ways to convey to your kids, that your classroom, mentor program, home or … is a place where they are safe, seen, valued and appreciated.
- Ask lots of questions, encourage thinking, and the expression of ideas and opinions. Accept all answers.
- Encourage kids (encourage everybody) to fall in love with something (develop a passionate interest.)
- Show your kids that you love to learn.
- Help kids feel confident and safe. Consider ways to ban humiliating and idea crushing statements from classroom and school vocabulary. (More about this in a separate blog to come.)
- Focus on individual kids so that you know what each one is doing and interested in.
- Convey, through speech and behavior that it is important to you that this kid succeeds.
- Remind kids that it most important that they like themselves.
- Never allow a kids to “lose face.”
- Smile.
Topics: Creating a Positive |