Objective - Your child will be encouraged to have a positive attitude (toward him/herself, teachers, other students, and school) and will learn the necessity of a positive attitude for success. Kids can develop a positive attitude by implementing positive talk, positive body language, and positive actions.

Postitive Talk Activities

Part One

Have your child practice turning the following negative sentences in to positive ones, by rewriting them euphemistically ("euphemistically" means using softer, more positive words for difficult or harsh situations). For example, instead of saying "School is boring" try saying "School is more fun than going to the dentist." Or instead of saying "Mrs. Smith is a big, evil beast", say, "Her dominating personality differs from my own."

Restate the following:

• My sister is a pest.
• I don't like practicing the piano.
• My room is an ugly color.
• I'm so stupid. I'll never get the grades my brother does.
• I had a horrible day because I got yelled at.
• My friend Sally hates me because she wouldn't come over
• Math is my worst subject. I won't ever understand it.

Part Two

Check out from a local library the children's book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, in which Alexander notices dozens of things that went wrong with his day. While reading with your child, make a goal together to find ten good things that happened (or could have happened) to Alexander. (Suggestions: "If Mrs. Gibson's car got broad-sided, he would most likely suffer fewer injuries than Becky & Audrey", or "Alexander's lunch is lower in fat than were his friends' lunches.") This activity helps children to identify positive experiences in their own lives.

Body Language Teaching Games

In your family, or in a group, pass out pieces of paper with "attitudes" on them (ex., bored, excited, shy, annoyed, eager, etc.). Have each person see if they can portray that attitude with only their facial expression.

 

Next, using new words, see if each person can portray his/her word using only his/her body posture and gestures. You might cover your face with a cap or scarf to avoid giving hints with facial expressions.

 

Give everyone a message they want to send non-verbally to another player, such as "I love you," "get lost," "I'm bored," "I'm listening," etc. You may also set up imaginary situations between players, in which both pretend to be traveling together, studying together, etc.

 

Do all of the rounds without giving away any answers verbally!!! No talking!

 

These games reinforce for children the power of their body language and make them aware that they are constantly sending messages to others even when they are not talking. This is true in relationships between classmates and especially in teacher-student relationships.

Making Friends with Your Teacher

Discuss with your child his/her friends. Read each of the friendly actions listed below to your child and ask if he/she agrees that it is a good action that build relationships. Then, after discussing friendships with same-age friends, ask your child how he/she could use that same positive action to build a good relationship with school teachers. (Answers are given in parentheses, and correspond to the list of actions listed in the chapter).

Things I do for my friends....

I sit near my friends in class. (Get a front row seat.)

When Billy is talking to me I look at him so he knows I'm paying attention. (Keep eye contact.)

My friend always has the best stories to tell but sometimes I don't understand what she's saying and I have to ask her what she means. (Ask questions.)

When my friends have birthday parties or want to go to the movies, I like to go so they know they are my friends and I like to be with them. (Go to extra study and review sessions.)

My friends and I have math class together everyday but I come a little early so we can talk. (Come to class a few minutes early each day.)

Tom and I always say, "See ya' later alligator" when we have to go home. (Say goodbye as you leave class.)

My friends help me to be happy most of the time so when I'm near them I smile so they can see that I'm glad when they're here. (Smile once in a while.)

Beth is my funniest friend. She makes jokes all the time. I write down the one's I like so I won't forget them. (Take good notes.)

When Josh and I talk he says he knows I'm paying attention when I sit up instead of putting my head on the desk. (Sit up straight.)

While I'm talking to Ashley on the phone I don't watch television. (Ignore distractions around you.)