It is another busy week at Prescott Primary Northern this week. A special STEM excursion is heading off today to Hamilton Space School for a Mars Mission & Bottle Rocketry investigation. We are trying to do all we can to help our students experience some of what they have missed out on earlier in the year because of COVID restrictions. Our Year 5s are going out on a camp tomorrow and we wish them well. Tomorrow is World Outdoor Classroom Day and we have a special outdoor Chapel and some class activities planned for tomorrow so we would like for children to wear Sports Uniform for the day.

One of the things I love the most about Prescott Primary Northern is the way children learn about values and how they are so strongly encouraged to not only learn them, but live them.  I have written before about the “residuals” of education – the things that are left when young people finish their schooling. One of the greatest gifts we can give them as a “residual” are the values and principles they hold and use in their lives. What I really like about our values program is that it is woven into the fabric of our school life and that we find little ways of rewarding children who show those values. It might be a photo in the newsletter or a badge to wear, or a certificate acknowledging them and how they have lived out the value. These warm recognitions and acknowledgements came to mind when I read the article below about parenting and raising our children – rewarding children for doing the right things, rather than just responding negatively when they do something wrong. The power of positive affirmation should never be underestimated and is a great way to start in creating the family culture most conducive to growth and respect for each other. I hope you enjoy the article.

“Children of all ages enjoy parental recognition. They like when their parents make a fuss over their behaviour or highlight something they’ve done well.

Sometimes parents will reward their children’s behaviour with a treat, money or a gift. This is okay in small doses, but parental recognition alone is a high enough driver of children’s behaviour most of the time.

First borns, in particular, love approval. Youngest children just love that you have noticed them! Second borns can sometimes do things in spite of their parents, but deep down they love the recognition too, even if they don’t let on that they do.

The behaviour you focus on expands

If you want your kids to be neater then focus on their neat behaviours. “You’ve tidied your toys up before dinner. Top job!” You don’t have to throw a party, just let them know that you noticed and you approve of their tidiness. You may also let them know how it affects you. “You’ve tidied your toys up before dinner. It makes my job easier.” The behaviours that you notice and comment on will expand.

Noticing kids’ tidiness once won’t suddenly turn messy kids into exceptionally neat ones, but do it often enough and you’ll start to get some turn around.

You can give kids a thumbs up for all sorts of behaviours. Here’s some examples.

Being co-operative

Stubborn kids need a pat on the head when they respond on your terms not theirs.

Being brave

Nervous and anxious kids need to have their bravery pointed out to them. It’s reassuring and empowering.

Being helpful

Want helpful kids? Then you need to notice helpful behaviours.

Being tolerant

Sometimes older siblings need to be very tolerant of younger siblings. Tolerance is a very giving behaviour and should be promoted.

Being patient

Something to encourage in boys, in particular. It’s often not their strong point.

Being persistent

Let kids know when ‘hanging in there’ pays off. The link between persistence and success is massive but persistence needs to be promoted. It’s also the one factor of temperament that can be affected by parenting.

Being friendly

If your child struggles in social situations then recognise pro-social behaviours such as sharing, initiating contact with another child or taking an interest in another person.

Don’t wait until you get perfect behaviour to give recognition, particularly for very young children. Kids have L-plates when it comes to behaving (co-operatively, bravely, patiently) so their attempts and close approximations need to be verified by the significant adults in their lives – their parents.

Recognising kids’ positive behaviours is easy to do, but it’s also easy not to do. We often get tied up with other things and forget to show appreciation and nurture the behaviours our kids need to develop. It’s important to be aware of this. It’s the little things such as giving positive recognition that have the biggest impact on kids’ development.” (Grose, 2020)

Have a great week with your kids,

Mark B