Encouragement means to stimulate initiative and positive actions. Teachers, counselors, and parents are expected to encourage children to do their best by acknowledging their efforts and strengths. However, when children do not feel good about themselves or their situation, they need to be reminded of ways they can encourage themselves and each other.
Ask your students for examples of thoughts that sometimes help them feel better when they are unhappy. Explain that helpful thoughts are called positive "self talk," and that adults often use self-talk to help them cope with their problems. List on the board ideas that children share. Their encouraging self-talk ideas might include the following examples:
After making an extensive list, have each child choose positive self-talk statement that is meaningful to him/her. Ask students to create a picture or poster that features their saying. Have them prominently sign their creation. Then divide into small groups or pairs and have the children discuss their work. Caution students to be respectful of each other's ideas. Display the results in the classroom or in the hall to challenge all children to use positive "self-talk" that will encourage them to do their best.
Article by Leah Davies, M.Ed.
Reprinted with permission from the
Kelly Bear website, www.kellybear.com
|
Sign up for our free weekly newsletter and receive
top education news, lesson ideas, teaching tips and more!
No thanks, I don't need to stay current on what works in education!
COPYRIGHT 1996-2016 BY EDUCATION WORLD, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.