Positive Interactions

Oct 13, 2019

Ever notice how you can walk into a school or classroom and get a feel for the climate without anyone saying a word? Every individual has the opportunity to contribute to the overall emotional climate of the school. This can be positive or negative, depending on the choices adults make.

One of the best ways to positively influence the climate around you is to focus on having positive interactions with others. Think about the children and adults in your life who have continuous negative interactions. These individuals get into poor habits of complaining and blaming, and often times, their natural defense is to argue and criticize. Sound familiar? Break the cycle. Make it a point to always have a positive interaction with them. No matter how difficult, refuse to let things turn sour. You may not dramatically alter their behavior, but you will drop a pebble of hope into their otherwise stagnant pond of negativity and in some small way, strengthen your relationship with them in the process.

When it comes to climate, it only takes one person to make a huge difference. Be that person.

Start of School Goals

Welcome to the new school year. Consider kicking it off by working with your students on setting behavior and/or academic goals. I tell younger students, “One goal makes our heart happier, and the other makes our brain smarter.” Frame the discussion in terms of...

School’s About to Start! Woo Hoo! …or not

While at a restaurant earlier this week, I really enjoyed a conversation coming from the booth next to me. Two brothers were talking about the start of school. The soon-to-be first grader told the waitress he couldn't wait! The soon-to-be eighth grader...not so much....

A New Year

As we said goodbye to 2025 earlier this week, I was thinking about one of my favorite animated children’s specials, Rudolph’s Shiny New Year. In it, Father Time tells Rudolph that if the horrible vulture, Eon the Terrible, takes Happy, the Baby New Year, time stops...

Enjoy the Journey

Perspective and attitude carry a great deal of weight when it comes to behavior. Accordingly, I need to slow down during this hectic month. Of course, my tendency is to speed up. I make a list of all the tasks needing completion before the year’s end and check it...

Homeostasis

You might have noticed I stepped away from technology over the past few months. It wasn’t a choice at first. 2025 has been a challenging year - and one that has reminded me of the importance of homeostasis. A simple definition of homeostasis is “any...

Using Our Time Wisely

So, it’s been a while since I’ve posted. Sorry – this was not my intent. As I mentioned in a prior blog, my wife and I spent a great deal of time over the summer in Ohio with a lifelong friend who is now in hospice care. We’ve felt fortunate to be able to do this. ...

Unseen Challenges

We don’t know what we don’t know – this is the mantra that’s circled through my brain on several occasions this summer. People have all kinds of challenges that are not always visible to outsiders. And when we don’t know the full story behind people’s behaviors,...

Acknowledge, Defer, Step Away

So parents, are you enjoying time with your kids while school is out? Though summer can be great for families, it can also present challenges. Close quarters, combined with high amounts of together time, can become a breeding ground for conflict. Keep in mind that...

Blooming Challenges

II’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Parents, you are going to get frustrated with your kids. But when that happens, find an activity you enjoy and step away. This strategy help you avoid a power struggle, and more importantly, adjusts your perspective....

Time to Refuel

Educators, this is just a reminder that It’s called summer break for a reason. Your work August through May is draining, which takes a toll on your physical, emotional and mental health. You might not be consciously aware of this now because when your brain and body...

Mother’s Day – A Collective Effort

It’s Mother’s Day - and the end of Teacher Appreciation Week. This seems appropriate since most teachers play the role of surrogate mom about 180 days per year. Teachers nurture, support, encourage, provide boundaries, model, listen, and teach. These...