Student Resiliency
Part 2
In my last article on student resiliency, I discussed the importance of creating a caring and supportive environment, both at school and at home. Teachers, administrators, support staff and parents all play a part in this equation and should work together to foster an atmosphere that promotes resiliency. This month I’d like to talk about the importance of setting and communicating high expectations.
Research has shown that schools that do so, and have the support necessary for students to live up to those expectations, have very high rates of academic success. Setting and communicating high expectations for success teaches children that they are capable of greater things. On the other hand, continually setting low expectations or “lowering the bar” teaches children that their capabilities and futures are limited. Children who grow up to become resilient adults do so with the understanding and mindset that they can always do better. Therefore it’s essential that we set high expectations for success and provide our children with the tools they need to realize their full potential.
Research has shown that resilient children generally:
- Believe that they have several people in their life who believe in their ability to succeed
- Get the message “I can succeed” both at school and at home
- Believe in themselves most of the time and generally give themselves positive messages about their ability to accomplish their goals even when they encounter difficulties
At Paly, our teacher advisors and counselors continually monitor the academic success of our students. When students are struggling in their coursework, we cheer them on, encouraging them to keep up their hard work or seek additional assistance when necessary. Teacher behavior and attitude has a powerful motivational influence on students. We want our students to get the message that we believe “they can succeed.” Another way we set high expectations is by offering a curriculum rich in advanced placement classes and diverse fields of study. We encourage students to select coursework that is well suited for their individual strengths and personal interests. Intrinsic motivation and responsibility for learning through active student participation fosters ownership of learning. And as a school community, we are taking a hard look at college read
iness and increasing our efforts to make sure that all of our students are college ready and well prepared for their future endeavors. By providing the support (i.e. adults who believe in your children, opportunities for children to feel successful) our students are better equipped to live up to our high expectations and reach their full potential.
Your student’s academic day may start in school, but it ends at home. Therefore, there are number of things you and your family can do to reinforce these high expectations for success.
Stress your child’s strengths. Not all children are naturally athletic, artistic, or popular, but every child has his strengths and it’s important that you, as a parent, recognize them. In order for children to believe in themselves, they need to experience success.
Accept your kids for who they are. While it is important to set high expectations for your children, it is equally important to set the right expectations for them. Your children may not grow up to be exactly who you would like them to be, but it is vital to recognize their unique qualities. When kids feel appreciated for who they are, they will feel more secure reaching out to others and learning how to solve problems.
Treat mistakes as learning experiences. High expectations do not mean perfection. Students whose parents overreact to mistakes tend to avoid taking risks and end up blaming others for their problems. It is easy to feel frustrated if your child forgets to bring her book home to work on her homework, but you need to convey that mistakes are a natural part of life. Set a good example: if you spill coffee on your shirt, have a sense of humor about it. You can also help your child prepare for mistakes. If you are teaching your child how to drive, for example, tell him that it takes time to learn how to parallel park and that most new drivers misjudge the distance at first.
Possessing a resilient mindset is an essential quality for all children. Working together, our community can challenge our children to excel, and in so doing, ensure that they grow up to become resilient adults.
Kim Diorio
Assistant Principal
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