This matters.

There are so many things that happen in a teacher’s day…but seldom are we stopped in our tracks. 

“I’ve never been told I have good ideas,” he said quietly under his breath.

It came from Jason. I had just pointed out a specific sentence he wrote and had said, “Oh! I had never thought about that! That’s a good idea – and a unique slant – keep going with that!”

While still processing my shock at his response, I paused at his desk and leaned in. I added, “You have so many meaningful thoughts that make all of us think – including me! Please, keep sharing those with us!”

I continued to the next student, but his words rang in my head. How could a college freshman be hearing this for the first time?  (Yep. It wasn’t my elementary school classroom).

It wasn’t that he hadn’t been praised before. It’s HOW it had been given. He’d heard, “Good job!” “Well done!” and even received good grades for his work products.

Words circling around performance, not what he authentically brought to the table each and every day - his thoughts.

We wonder why our children hesitate to share what they are really thinking. Why has participation gone down? Where are their active, curious questions that internally drive them?

They lie dormant, but they exist.

Sometimes protected.

Sometimes untapped.

It’s time to give them a new experience.

We need to praise differently. To honor the thinking, not just the product.

Sometimes our systems, culture, tech, and timelines cause us to forget how each person is full of ideas, thoughts, opinions, and innovations in their minds. It’s my job as an educator and parent to help them discover those unique, beautiful pieces of themselves as learners.

How?

Through conversations that explicitly show their ideas matter.

Build trust.

Connect.

Explicitly tell them.

Offer my own ideas, as a fellow learner.

Give it a go. Tell your students (or child) their ideas matter. Watch what happens with their willingness to tell you more.