Reframing frustration & teaching inclusiveness as part of learning

Picture taken from pixabay

This was an article published by the character lab - https://characterlab.org/tips-of-the-week/turn-weakness-into-strength/

I loved this article for 2 points:

1) Encouraging students to make friends with frustration. It is a sign that they are trying and challenging themselves! My spin is to use that to affirm their effort (growth mindset). Also to encourage deliberate practice.

Personally, this was a timely learning as I did exactly this in my recent conversation with an ex-student who contacted me as he was struggling with low motivation in his new school. A side point, I was proud that he is now able to demonstrate help seeking behaviour. What a contrast from the time I had to keep "chasing" him. He now better appreciated the supports he received previously. To educators and parents: never give up! Our seeds of labour do bear fruit in good time. His frustration had roots in the transition anxiety and re-adjustment due to COVID. Also, his situation was the perfect setting to practise self-discipline (an aspect that I was finally able to address having worked with him for many years. :))

2) While achievement is important, the process to that is equally important. Particularly how you treat others in the process getting there. Sometimes frustration arises because we are consciously or unconsciously shaped to think that we need to beat others in the rat race. Inclusiveness is one way how we can mitigate the pressure-cooker education. Help students unpack frustration and use it to grow inclusiveness. The old school mantra: aim to win over others. A more superior way: think about how you can bring your friends along. Always more fun to have people to celebrate together!

#characterlab #inclusiveteaching #inclusivesg