Encouragement

Today I wrote a note to a boy, because he made a new friend. You might wonder why since this is quite normal, but it is something I have never seen him do before.

The context is this: He is a boy who is great friends with another boy, because he is crazy about sharks and the others don't like it when he always mentions sharks. Sharks. Sharks. Sharks. I do get annoyed hearing him mention sharks EVERYWHERE. I work in a Catholic school, so even his prayers are all about sharks.

After I wrote the letter, his behaviour really improved. When he was going back, he was smiling.

Of course, this is not easy. Impossible, even. I am a generally positive person, but I have to be firm with the kids. Sometimes work stress does get to me, and I must confess that some of it goes to the children. Seeing colleagues being firm will no doubt force me to do the same.

But I believe positivity is more powerful than negativity. Speaking words of encouragement will really go a long way. As educators, while it is important to be firm to kids, we must be careful that our words don't come across as too hurtful.

It is always easy to say words than to hear them. Calling someone stupid might be harmless, but it can crush a person. Children are even more vulnerable. I might just stay in their memory for the rest of their lives, better not be a source of pain or negativity to them.