100th Day of School

Dear Kerby Families and Friends,

Where has the time gone? Tuesday, February 15th is the 100th day of school; it seems like yesterday that the students were showing off their new school supplies and talking about the fun at the park or the places they traveled to on their summer vacations. This would be a great time for you to review the goals your child has set with their teachers and make a plan to accomplish them between now and June. Our students do such a great job each day that it is important to take the time to celebrate their hard work and, no matter the challenge, remind them that hard work always pays off.

The following is an excerpt from Dr. Charles Fay that I thought you might enjoy: “There are few things that bring us more joy than seeing our youngsters succeed! Unfortunately, too many of us make the mistake of responding to their success in ways that gradually condition them to give up when the going gets tough.” Let’s see how this happens:
Little Roger just tied his shoes. Because this warms his Mother’s heart, she says “Oh Roger, you’re so smart!” Roxanne got an “A” on her spelling test. Beaming with pride her father praises, “Roxanne, you’re so bright.” Roger says his ABC’s. Grandma replies, “You’re the smartest kid in town!” Roxanne constructs a wonderful science fair project. Her Mom responds with “Sweetie you are so intelligent.”

If this continues, Roger and Roxanne will eventually be conditioned to believe that they are successful because they are smart. Why is this a problem? Kids who believe that smartness is the key to success give up whenever they encounter things that leave them feeling not so smart. Fortunate kids are conditioned to believe that hard work, practice, and perseverance are the keys to success. Kids who believe this are more likely to keep trying when things get tough. One strategy that has been effective in helping kids is asking them “Why did you do that so well?” When they shrug their shoulders, ask: “Did you work hard? Have you been practicing? Or did you keep trying?” When kids verbalize any one of the three, they begin to believe that they have what it takes to keep going when the going gets tough.