As a classroom teacher and a yoga instructor, I am again and again overwhelmed with pride for how often young people are willing to take a challenge, “sweat” it out and succeed.
Side note:This year, I've been blessed to have the opportunity to teach my own child.
Last night as my son and I were reviewing for a Greek/Latin Root Word quiz I was giving to my class the next day, my husband (Math Teacher) was listening from the kitchen. When my son left the room after studying, my husband tip-toed in and whispered- “That’s hard!” with wide eyes. “I’m not sure I could do that!” (my husband is very humble, I’m sure if he studied he could. :)
But I do know, this Greek and Latin word study work we are doing in class is designed to challenge each student.
This morning, my son woke up “beaming” with pride over the fact he could say every word for his quiz without pausing and claimed he knew he was ready (last week was a different story, yes I let him learn the hard way).
Then, on the way to school he told me he never believed studying every night would truly make a difference. But it does, (score one for mom :) He hadn't studied every night last week and had not performed well on the quiz.
What I’m learning from all my students (and my own son)- we can embrace challenges. And when at first we don't succeed, we don't need to "punish" ourselves or beat ourselves up for it. We cannot back down and quit when we are faced with opportunities to become better at something. We shouldn't turn away if at first we don't succeed.
Kids are the best at embracing challenges and allowing themselves to sometimes fall and get back up!
Life provides these opportunities for growth in this way, and if we can avoid harsh judgment or punishment (of ourselves or others) when at first we don't succeed- we can be open to the greatness that can be achieved through hard work, perseverance and renewed self confidence.
I am so blessed to be in the company of the students I teach on and off the mat.
And, although it is hard for a mother (teacher) to watch her child struggle sometimes. I do recognize that it is in struggle that we learn.
When it is OK to fall down and get back up- we grow.
I’m glad for our family, we are learning this as our children are younger- hope it will prepare us for the future.
Are you afraid to embrace a challenge? What's the worst that can happen? If you fall, will you get back up?
Try a yoga class. When exploring what it is about a great yoga class does for me recently, I realized, it allows me the opportunity to try and fail. To play like a child with my balance and flexibility, getting my feet over my head or just simply laying in "child's" pose. I've literally fallen on my face and gotten back up only to hear my yoga instructor remind me, everybody does it, now get back up and try it again. Your mat is your support, your safe place. Why not give it a try?
Side note:This year, I've been blessed to have the opportunity to teach my own child.
Last night as my son and I were reviewing for a Greek/Latin Root Word quiz I was giving to my class the next day, my husband (Math Teacher) was listening from the kitchen. When my son left the room after studying, my husband tip-toed in and whispered- “That’s hard!” with wide eyes. “I’m not sure I could do that!” (my husband is very humble, I’m sure if he studied he could. :)
But I do know, this Greek and Latin word study work we are doing in class is designed to challenge each student.
This morning, my son woke up “beaming” with pride over the fact he could say every word for his quiz without pausing and claimed he knew he was ready (last week was a different story, yes I let him learn the hard way).
Then, on the way to school he told me he never believed studying every night would truly make a difference. But it does, (score one for mom :) He hadn't studied every night last week and had not performed well on the quiz.
What I’m learning from all my students (and my own son)- we can embrace challenges. And when at first we don't succeed, we don't need to "punish" ourselves or beat ourselves up for it. We cannot back down and quit when we are faced with opportunities to become better at something. We shouldn't turn away if at first we don't succeed.
Kids are the best at embracing challenges and allowing themselves to sometimes fall and get back up!
Life provides these opportunities for growth in this way, and if we can avoid harsh judgment or punishment (of ourselves or others) when at first we don't succeed- we can be open to the greatness that can be achieved through hard work, perseverance and renewed self confidence.
I am so blessed to be in the company of the students I teach on and off the mat.
And, although it is hard for a mother (teacher) to watch her child struggle sometimes. I do recognize that it is in struggle that we learn.
When it is OK to fall down and get back up- we grow.
I’m glad for our family, we are learning this as our children are younger- hope it will prepare us for the future.
Are you afraid to embrace a challenge? What's the worst that can happen? If you fall, will you get back up?
Try a yoga class. When exploring what it is about a great yoga class does for me recently, I realized, it allows me the opportunity to try and fail. To play like a child with my balance and flexibility, getting my feet over my head or just simply laying in "child's" pose. I've literally fallen on my face and gotten back up only to hear my yoga instructor remind me, everybody does it, now get back up and try it again. Your mat is your support, your safe place. Why not give it a try?
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