Celebrating Children's Positive Self-Concept and Growth

Learning deserves a celebration as it is a significant milestone in young minds' brain and skill development.

Celebrating learning goes beyond fun; it’s rooted in social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies. For children, witnessing a festive acknowledgment of their accomplishments positively shapes their self-concepts and develops intrinsic motivation to do positive actions.

That’s why, in this evidence-based SEL lesson for kindergarten, *Positive Action *encourages schools and educators to throw a joyous ceremony to recognize students’ program completion. Beyond that, dedicating a day for students to celebrate themselves and their positive actions serves as a positive reinforcement. It teaches them that positive actions reward them with a sense of fulfillment. This rewarding feeling will fuel their desire to improve and excel continually.

Before the lesson, the teacher and the parents plan for it in advance. They bring healthy treats into the classroom and establish fun activities. Games, songs, or maybe even a field trip are prepared.

As the lesson commences, students are welcomed with congratulations and "hoorays!" They are asked to march one by one across the front of the class and receive their Positive Action graduation certificates. From their smiles, their parents can see that their self-concepts have improved.

The mini-graduation continues, and each student receives a "Furry Tails" sticker. The students place it on their Certificate of Achievement to encourage them to continue doing positive actions and feel good about themselves.

At the end of the lesson, the students enjoy the positive feeling of being celebrated and recognized. As they are surrounded by supportive and nurturing people, they internalize an image of themselves as capable individuals. This profound realization empowers their greatness and strengthens their positive mindset.

In essence, this lesson on self-celebration is crucial, especially during the formative years. When children are encouraged to celebrate their efforts in building positive habits and performing positive actions, they're more likely to associate those actions with feelings of accomplishment and pride. This association helps them understand that every step they take on this path can lead to lifelong happiness and success.