Last week, Rikama Education reported on restraints within schools and whether our teachers are trained properly to enforce them in the classroom. One must question, if there something that can be done so that restraints do not have to be used at all, or at least at a minimum?
The human brain naturally hardwires negative experiences into our long-term memory, positive experiences tend to sweep over without leaving a trace within our pathways; this neural research suggests that if a positive reinforcement is created within the classroom and is consistently positive, negative stimuli will not enter the long-term memory and therefore, the individual will be, generally, happier.
This isn’t the easiest thing to do however as teachers must be, ‘on the ball,’ 100% of the time which even the best teachers cannot consistently do, no fault of theirs, it is just how it is due to class sizes, events at home for the child etc. Research has indicated that there are some aspects that can be considered by a teacher which could credit ‘happiness’ for a child.
Theses aspects include: ‘What Went Well?’ ‘Thank-You Letter,’ and finally ‘Savouring Meditation.’ By asking a class of students, ‘What went well for you (daily or weekly)?’ This ensures that your students reflect on their practice with their friends and fellow students specifically thinking about positivity; by sharing one positive aspect of their day or week, it has shown to boost that person’s happiness and wellbeing, while reducing depressive symptoms.
Secondly, ask your students to think of somebody, anybody, who is important to them and that does a lot for them they possibly take for granted. Ask the children to write down several things that that person has done for them, after that, get them to write a short thank you letter for that person, then simply give it to that person. Studies have shown that expressing gratitude can make people happier, healthier and more optimistic.
Lastly, ask your students to relax and think about a happy memory in their past, a special occasion with their family, playing with their pet, anything that makes them smile. Give the students time to relive this experience and notice as much as they can about it then share with a partner in the class. A study has shown that spending just 15 minutes a day thinking about a happy memory can boost happiness.
Some of these ideas may not work for your student or child, but even if one of them does work, that is a small piece of happiness that your child will treasure.
