Emphasizing the Positive
I was halfway through my parent-teacher conferences when a young mom came in and sat across from me. I knew she was coming, in fact she was early. Before I even began talking, she scrambled her thoughts and immediately said…
“I’m so sorry, I know he’s a lot, I’m sorry.”
I felt my stomach drop. I knew what had happened. This poor mom had gone through year after year of parent-teacher conferences that made her feel defeated. She probably had heard very little positive about her child and felt hopeless. Without a beat I said, “Yes, your child is a lot sometimes, but he is also so amazing!! I began to tell her about the huge heart of compassion that he had for other people, how he also strived to make sure other’s felt included. I recognized a gift in his life, and with partnership we could help him reach his self-control goals.
We can recognize the negatives traits’ in children all we want, but it won’t grow the whole child. Yes, we take measured active steps to reach certain goals, yes we discourage bad behavior, but let’s think of all the good. Acknowledge the child when they do something good- encourage it, let them know how awesome it was!
We can cross that Bridge and look at things differently!
-One of our many homeschool fieldtrips: Martin Park Nature Center Photo taken by Project Homeward Downes
That incident in a parent-teacher conference was one of the many reasons why I felt to start this blog. Are Neurodivergent children a lot to handle sometimes, yes! Are they also amazing, intelligent and creative, yes! I choose to recognize the gifts that children have in their life and put forth a concentrated effort of patience. Patience and Positivity.
Classroom management is a hot topic in the world of education. There are so many techniques and systems out there, but most classrooms develop management systems of their own. Each class is so different, what works for one teacher doesn’t work for another. Laying that aside for the moment, I want you to look at the individual child. Look for the good.
I challenge you, as we are going through this journey together, choose to see the gifts in your kids’ lives. For a moment, set aside the goals you are worried about them not reaching, and see the child for what they are. See the gift, foster it, encourage it, teach it.
-Sadie
(Next Blog Post: “Executing Functioning: What is it?”)
