Consequences are a part of life. Most often when we hear this word, we are naturally inclined to go negative: a ticket after speeding or weight gain after the holidays. However, any formal definition of the word more accurately implies neutrality, meaning either negative or positive. A positive consequence could be a compliment after a job well done or a thoughtful gift from someone expressing gratitude.
One of the benefits of a small community is our ability to build authentic, genuine relationships with students and their families. In conversations with families about their Currey Ingram experience, I hear parents appreciate that teachers take the time to fully “know” each child in their care. A large body of research highlights the importance of caring, warm and respectful interactions between students and teachers and their association to broader outcomes including student engagement, academic achievement, peer acceptance, and motivation (Bear, 2010). Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center of Emotional Intelligence, explained knowing someone based on three levels:
As teachers and parents, it can be frustrating to watch a child attempt a writing assignment. The entire process can be overwhelming. He or she may shut down from the start or write very little before stopping. If writing wasn’t difficult for us when we were in school, it’s easy to say, “Just write more. It’s not that hard.” I beg to differ. Many students feel lost when it comes to the writing process due to the fact that it requires the use and coordination of many skills simultaneously.
In this day and age, it is easy to want to protect and shield our children from the hardships of life. At times, this can lead to unintentionally hindering a child’s ability to develop independence. When children are encouraged to work through a task independently, they develop critical thinking skills, perseverance, and the ability to handle frustration and failure. Many times, we go to great lengths to prevent a child from having to experience the disappointment of failing. It can be painful to watch; however, experiencing frustration helps children to develop emotional resilience (Patz, n.d.). Rather than view a difficult situation as a source of suffering, try to view it as an opportunity for growth.
