One of the most grieving things I come across on a consistent basis is the way I hear some people talk.
In education it is very important to be friendly, inviting, and warm. This will help facilitate a productive and safe working environment. For example, being negative, discouraging, or vain is not a healthy tone for anyone, and the kids are less likely to cooperate.
Why talk about this? What’s the importance?
The answer is simple: I am discussing the topic of words because they matter. We can do
so much good with just our words, meaning what we speak has an effect on the people
around us. I have seen firsthand how an encouraging word can brighten a child’s day
versus the effect of speaking out of anger or frustration. For instance, if someone is
mentally burdened with something and it is shown in their attitude at school, it causes the
classroom schedule not to go as smoothly. When a person is not right within, then nothing right will come out. I encourage and implore you to keep speaking positively and kindly to your students and other children. The key to being that positive support for kids is by starting with yourself.
Self Application
A way to put speaking kindly into practice is to do just that: speak kindly. No matter what
the situation or who the person is, always remain calm and friendly to the children and
peers around you. Do not be afraid to take a break to calm down after a challenging
situation. One thing I noticed as a contributing factor to unkind words is when a person is
exhausted or feels energy burnout. Agitation may be increased if there’s not enough sleep.
Getting an adequate amount of sleep, and not skipping out on breaks will help you stay
energized and not feel that midday fog.
In conclusion, keep in mind that the way we talk has an impact on the academic
atmosphere we work in. Understand that if you want to see better, you have to speak
better. You will see a drastic change in the classroom and workplace as you continue to
work on speaking positively.
Author: Kenjah Newell
