Encourage Your Kids

By The Schoolmarm
August 21, 2009

 

“I can’t do it,” he said, and threw his pencil down. “They say I’m stupid in math, I guess they’re right.” He turned his chair around.

With his back to me he began to cry. I closed my eyes, shook my head, and drew a deep sigh.

What could I say to this dear little boy? What hope could I impart? I thought to myself, learning shouldn’t break a child’s heart.

“You’re a good person Jessie, there’s not a better guy in this school. You are always kind and helpful and I’ve never seen you be cruel. You can kick the ball out of sight and you run like the wind. You can do many things, my young friend.”

He turned back around.

“Let’s take a look at your assignment together, let’s see what has you stumped.” He wiped away tears with the palm of his hands, his shoulders were a little less slumped.

“Come on,” I said, with a pat on his back. “Let’s get to work, okay?” He smiled when I promised , “You will conquer this crazy long division some day!”

When children get discouraged and feel like giving up, they need to be reminded of their positive attributes. Look for what they do well and stress those things. Build them up, don’t tear them down. Believe me, they already know when they are failing. They need to be told how much they are loved, and cherished, and that your love isn’t dependent on what they can do, but who they are.

Source: Bing Note

 

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