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    • « Engaging the Whole Child: Free eBook available NOW | Home | Art and Culture: A Natural Connection that Builds Understanding »

    How do you communicate expectations for success?

    By Danielle Miles | May 1, 2009

    I recently read an article about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr at an education conference. The topic of one presentation was “First, Teach them to read”. According to the article, Dr. King Jr turned to his colleague and said, “First, teach them to believe in themselves.”

    I was struck with the simple profundity of the statement. Before any of us can do something, we have to believe that we will be able to do it. Before teaching a child to read, teach them how to believe they can tackle reading- even if it takes them longer than any other kid in their class- if they keep trying.

    And in order to do that, WE have to believe they can do it, too. We have to keep trying, keep helping, and keep displaying our surety that they will get it. The way that we perceive our students affects the way we treat them, and the way we treat them affects how they view themselves, and how they are treated by classmates.

    How can I teach a kid to believe in themselves?

    I could really point out their strengths and achievements, and say things like, “See! I knew you could do it.”

    Be relentlessly positive

    Refrain from saying things like “You’re not even trying/ you’re not trying hard enough”.

    I went to a training (Collaborative Problem Solving) that began with “Children do well when they can. When they can’t, it’s up to us to try to figure out how to help them”. We need to connect with them and identify barriers that are preventing them from being successful.

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