NURTURING THE WHOLE CHILD

REMEDIOS O. LAGMAN

For students to face life’s challenges, teachers should help them develop a broad set of skills. Developing a growth mindset does not mean students are already adequately prepared to face life’s challenges and changes. This is not all there is for students to be able to attain their full potential.

Students who have a positive perspective are already equipped with one instrument for their fundamental needs. Growth mindset is just but one of the crucial sets of readiness a child must have.

A growth mindset consists of assurance, adaptability, and openness to accepting assistance. Students should be emboldened by extending to them sincere encouragement and empathy. Teachers should be attuned and attentive, so they can cultivate among students the skill of self-monitoring.

Students who have a growth mindset have resolve and resilience, focus, persistence, and a calculated effort, which are essential aspects of being college ready. It is not all about working hard, but also working smart.

Apart from a growth mindset, students should also have strong skill sets which back up exertion and perseverance. They should have dexterity, solid strategies, and practical capabilities which develop self-efficacy and turn conviction into success.

They should not only be passive consumers of information, but active producers of insight and innovation.

As adults, we should set an example for our students. We should behave in ways worthy of emulation, and must demonstrate true responsibility and reliability.

Teachers should be role models of integrity, and must entrust youngsters with opportunities to act independently and conscientiously. With his, children can develop self-control through experiences from which they can learn and grow.

Children should be focused to pursue ambitions, and engaged towards achieving their dreams. Teachers must inspire and endorse their student’s passions.

This powerful combination of social, emotional, soulful, and academic tools can assure that every child can handle eventual setbacks with humility, humor, and honor.

— oOo— The author is Teacher III at Dolores Elementary School