A SENSE OF UNIQUENESS

No two people are exactly alike. Every person’s individual makeup is influenced by such factors as cultural background, family upbringing, inborn talents, and personal preferences. At school, teachers can enhance creativity and learning by recognizing each student’s uniqueness and building on her particular strengths. When children know they are appreciated as individuals, they learn to accept and respect themselves, and in turn, they are able to see and appreciate the

Getting into Focus uniqueness of others.

Helping Children Feel Unique and Special

Involving students in activities that focus on the self is a common practice among teachers. Many classrooms, for example, display booklets or bulletin boards titled “All About Me” or “I Am Special Because . . .” While these activities might raise students’ consciousness of who they are, teachers can better develop self-esteem by encouraging each student to examine how his special qualities enable him to be a unique and important member of his family, his class, and the world at large. The following ideas will help you create a learning environment that celebrates uniqueness and guides students into seeing themselves as

Suggestions

participants in the world around them.

Let students explore and appreciate differences.

• Discuss with the class the fact that people have different interests, talents, and abilities, and that everyone has something she can do well. Let children know that one person might be skilled in math, another good in baseball, and another knowledgeable about pets. Emphasize that regardless of people’s abilities, what is important is that a person tries her best in whatever she undertakes.

Participation • Give students opportunities to teach one another. For example, a student who

is a good reader can listen to and encourage a student who is not; a student who knows a game can teach a group how to play; a student can share with the class about a family or cultural tradition.

• Share your own personal strengths. Tell the class which of your qualities have helped you in your teaching. Then let each student talk about his strengths and share the type of work he might enjoy when he grows up.

Build on individual strengths and interests.

• Respect students’ individual abilities and strengths, and be sensitive to the fact that students learn at different speeds and achieve varying levels of mastery. Reward the effort each child makes and help her recognize the progress she has made.

• Create an environment where students feel free to investigate, explore, and create on their own. Display how-to books on crafts, games, science experi-

Awareness

ments, magic tricks, and other activities, and encourage students to try the ideas in their spare time. Or, let students pursue constructive activities of their choice (such as writing, listening to a taped story, reading, drawing, or building). Afterward, have the students share their investigations, discoveries, and creations with the class.

29 IF22636 Skills for Successful Teaching

• During the school week, take time to let each student know you have noticed her in class. For

example, you might praise a student who is working hard learning a new skill or voice appreciation to a student who has helped a fellow classmate. Recognizing individual accomplish- ments reinforces to students that you see each of them as a unique, special human being.

A SENSE OF UNIQUENESS