NEVER GIVE UP ON A CHILD

"Flatter Me, and I May Not Believe You. Criticize Me, and I May Not like You. Ignore Me, and I May Not Forgive You. Encourage Me, and I Will Not Forget You” by William Arthur Ward.

This is the last of nine articles from the Dec. 27 blog about new year’s resolutions for educators. Never, ever give up on a child or let him/her think he/she is somehow lacking intellectually. Find the child’s strengths and expand on them. All children are special and have such strengths. This suggestion is for parents, teachers and administrators alike.

One of the best ways to never give up on children is to teach them to never give up on themselves. There are many articles on the subject, and even one step-by-step video on Howcast that helps parents teach their children not to give up. http://www.howcast.com/videos/284703-How-To-Teach-Your-Kids-Not-To-Give-Up

It is of utmost importance that teachers do not give up on children. Instead they should encourage them, cajole them, care about them and find ways to brag about them. Passing on positive thoughts about children to their parents is also necessary, in case they are so busy with everyday life that they are not thinking about how important it is to affirm and show affection to their kids.

In my own classroom I was sometimes frustrated, concerned or perplexed, but I never gave up on a child. I often used affirmations to get my message across. Because I knew that some children came from homes where hearing “I love you,” and getting daily hugs and kisses were infrequent, I wrote a classroom creed. We said this creed daily, right after the pledge of allegiance. The theory behind the creed is to realize you are loveable even if you are not getting that message from your family and friends. The message is also that you are the master of your destiny and that you can fulfill your dreams. Here is my classroom creed:

I AM SMART. I AM CAPABLE. I AM LOVEABLE.
I AM THE MASTER OF MY DESTINY.
THERE ARE GOOD CHOICES AND BAD CHOICES IN LIFE.
THE DECISIONS I MAKE NOW WILL INFLUENCE WHAT I BECOME.

I HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE A POOR CHOICE, BUT I MUST BE
WILLING TO ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES FOR THAT CHOICE.
I HAVE THE RIGHT TO FAIL BUT I DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT
TO CAUSE MY TEACHER AND OTHER PEOPLE TO FAIL WITH ME.

THEREFORE, BECAUSE I AM SMART,
STARTING TODAY I PLAN TO MAKE SMART CHOICES.
I WILL REACH MY POTENTIAL.
I WILL FULFILL MY DREAMS

by Jan Lind-Sherman


You will notice that when repeating the creed there is a powerful potential for self forgiveness in the final four lines. “Starting today I plan to make smart choices. I will reach my potential. I will fulfill my dreams.” I think it's important that we realize we can have “do overs” when working on goals.

I had an occasion awhile back to watch some of my former students, who are now adults, as they listened to the creed spoken by a bunch of youngsters in a school program. I was touched and amazed when I saw some of them mouthing the words. Teachers do not always realize their impact, but in that moment I felt truly affirmed. For me, I had reached my potential. I had fulfilled my dream of making a difference in the lives of others.

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BOOK NOOK

Memorizing poems and affirmations are excellent tools teachers can use to inspire children. Here is a wonderful poem that has has an anonymous author, although it has been claimed by several. It is entitled “Don’t Quit.”

DON’T QUIT!

When people pull you down, as they often will
When the battle you’re fighting is all uphill
When the funds are low and the debts are high
When you’re laughing, although you’d rather cry
When you discover yourself slowing down a big
Stop and take a deep breath, but don’t you quit.

Although you’ve worked so hard just to get this far
You must steady your pace, just to stay where you are
You’ll need twice the effort to make your way
Tomorrow won’t come, until you’ve conquered today
And if you discover yourself slowing down a bit
Stop and rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Always do the best that you can possibly do
Treasure true friends who are far and few
Never give up, whatever the burden you bear
Just one more step might get you there
Often the battle that is proceeding slow
Will conclude abruptly, when dealt another blow

Succeed in believing that you will not fail
Use diligence and determination to set your sail
When the weather is stormy and the waters are rough
In the moment of peril the strong get tough
Whenever life presses you down a bit
Stand up and shout, “I will not quit!