Tell your kids ...
I know you can do this
Let us never forget why we came into education: to make a positive difference to the lives of young people. At the heart of all that we do is that individual child, with their hopes, aspirations, fears and doubts.
The writer and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou said: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
As I write this I am helping my daughter prepare for her first set of major exams. Her attitude towards each subject is partly determined by how she has been encouraged to feel about her learning in particular classes. In Maths she feels confident as a result of appropriate challenge and support from a very good teacher. Other subjects she approaches with caution and some concern, largely due to how she feels about it.
Research informs us that the emotional atmosphere of the classroom is important. The emotional centres of the brain can take over the centres for learning so our attention goes from what the teacher is saying to that which is upsetting us. It matters that students feel safe and encouraged if they are to learn to their full potential. Whilst the following infographic is written with parents in mind many of the messages are as relevant for teachers: students need to feel that they are noticed, valued, trusted, encouraged and appreciated.
