One of the most important things we can do for our children is to give them the gift of our confidence in them. Kids need to know that we believe in them and in their ability to do hard things. But before we give them this gift, we have to give them the tools to be resilient. We have to show them how to deal with problems head on, to be resourceful on their own first and then ask for help if they need it, and to show gratitude to those who help them. We do this by modeling and guiding when challenges arise.
This is definitely easier said than done. As parents, we don't like to watch our kids being uncomfortable. We don't like watching them struggle. It is painful and heart wrenching for us. We would much rather deal with the problem for them, fix it, and move on. But this would not be doing them any favors. Rather, we need learn to sit with our own discomfort as we help our children deal themselves. We need to take a yoga class, go to the gym, take a walk with a friend, or take deep breaths so that we can manage our own emotional response to our children's difficulties. We do these things at the same time as we support our children as they handle the problem themselves.
As they learn more skills and gain more independence, we can gradually give them space to handle their own problems while repeatedly telling them that we love them and are here to support them all along the way. When they resolve a problem, their confidence in themselves grows exponentially. And for us, what starts as discomfort turns into pride. For me, these are the moments that make me think: "Okay, at least I did something right." I'll take it.
School Consulting Tip - Include Paraprofessionals Throughout the Consultation Process
Paraprofessionals spend all day with students. They connect with them when they are doing well and support them when they are having difficulty engaging in learning. It is essential to talk with and listen to these amazing individuals. As they do the hard work day in and day out, they gather insights about student preferences and behavior that is critical to understanding the student as a whole person. This information should then be considered when designing interventions.
Paraprofessionals can also give helpful feedback about potential strategies and after strategies are implemented. They can tell you whether or not interventions are feasible in a particular setting and share what they have found that works better.
In short, paraprofessionals are the key to effectively and compassionately helping students to achieve their goals.
Guide for Teaching Students with Anxiety
I came across this quick guide for teaching students with anxiety disorders. In the guide, anxiety disorders are explained as they manifest in students and there are practical strategies for the classroom.
Teaching Your Child To Be polite
It is so important that we teach our children to be polite when the are little and require polite behavior throughout their lives. Here are some tips for establishing the “Polite Rule.”
Teaching Your Child Empathy & Compassion
Empathy and compassion are integral for children to learn early on in life as these skills are what makes us good people. Here are some tips for how you can teach your child these critical foundational skills.
