Expectations come from within - they energize our lives!

Children have many expectations and it’s the master teacher who helps them to realize their expectations. Several years ago, I was teaching at Elmhurst College with Dorothy Faegre. Dorothy was a professor in the Math Department, but she had a great interest in the education of elementary school teachers, so she and I had many occasions to share thoughts. One day, during a discussion on positive attitudes and learning, she told me this story about the teacher her children had when they entered school in the first grade. This happened in the days before kindergarten and pre-school were on the scene. Other than I can’t recall the teacher’s real name, here is her story:

MOMMY, DADDY, I LEARNED HOW TO READ TODAY!

My children had a most marvelous teacher, Mrs. Evans. She taught in a rural school; grades 1-4. I was always amazed at the attitudes my children had about school. They came home all excited and happy. When I picked them up at school, I noticed that all of the other children had the same attitudes. One day I had time to talk with Mrs. Evans and asked her how she managed to accomplish this.

She said, “Children come to school expecting certain things to happen. For example, the first graders come to school expecting to learn how to read. They have been told by parents, older children, and other adults that they will learn to read. To children this does not mean that they will learn to read sometime during the year; it means that they will learn to read when they go to school – the first day. ‘“So, the first day, we learn how to read. We make up a simple, little story about anything that is happening, the weather, a game, snack, our recess. I write the story on the board, and we “read” it together. I make a copy for each child to take home and “read” to the parents.”

Some of the simplest techniques that we use with people are the most powerful. The children had a goal, a need to be fulfilled, and Mrs. Evans helped them to reach their goal, to fulfill their need. The setting and reaching of personal goals are crucial and when we assist others in this process with the expectation that they will succeed, we elevate their self-esteem and their performance. And yes, we can take some credit in this achievement and take enjoyment in observing the growth.

Mommy, Daddy, I hit the backhand today!