Back-to-School Season is one of the busiest times of the year. With all the newness, it is easy for us as adults to be a little overwhelmed by change, let alone our children. Jumping back into a routine, experiencing the challenges of the pace and expectations of a new grade level, and working through new relationships with classmates and teachers is a lot for a little person to process.
The good news is that kids are extremely resilient and, if met with affirmation and encouragement, they adapt very quickly. Carve out the downtime your student needs to rest and reset for the week. If they come home with frustration from their day, listen to understand, affirm their feelings, provide a few words of encouragement, and then ask them to share something good that happened or something they enjoyed learning. Allow them to brag on themself by asking, "What did you do today that made you feel proud of yourself?"
In a world where people seem to wallow in negativity, these conversations help kids address the negative parts of their day but stay focused on all that is good.
This month we are talking about Habit 1: Be PROACTIVE. I am in charge of me!
By focusing on the things in our circle of control, we teach our children that they have the power to determine the type of day they will have, and those days can become a lifetime of agency. Nothing builds a student's self-esteem more than teaching students to recognize the power they have over their efforts, attitudes, and outcomes.
We look forward to a wonderful year of partnering with you to love, support, challenge, and celebrate your child.
Geaux Griffins!
Casey Hamon
