Being Positive is looking on the bright side of things. This way of thinking does not always come naturally, but you can train your mind to seek it out. As a teacher, it is important to be a role model of positive thinking for my students. By doing so, I can help them see the glass as half full when they are faced with hard tasks.
What is positive thinking or having an optimistic viewpoint? According to Paraskevi Noulas, PsyD, a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU Langone Health in New York City, it is the idea "of seeing the silver lining on a bad day." This doesn't mean that you never think about the negative things that are happening, rather its how you view situations from a more well-rounded perspective.
Why is this important to do as a teacher?
Shifting your mindset can help your overall health. "Research shows that positive thinking is an incredibly important and efficacious way to improve your overall mood, physical health, energy level, concentration, productivity and more," says Noulas.
Not all kids think this way. It's a skill that can be developed but it takes practice. These skills can be done in the classroom by practicing compassion meditation. If kids show daily gratitude is another way to build these key brain circuits that regulate positive emotions.
How else? Show Kindness!
One of the most powerful ways to feel positivity is to give back to others. Show generosity and let the good vibes role! Its well known that when others perform acts of kindness it was a key way to boost your own happiness! (Check out my next post as I share examples on how I am doing this in my classroom)
Need a quick way to help boost the positive vibe? Flash a quick smiles!
Encourage your students to take the smile challenge and smile at EVERYONE they see for an entire day. Just smiling, boost so feel good vibes that increase your mood.
Try a few of these ideas and let me know how the climate in your classroom changes.
I bet their growth mindset grows too!
