Making good impression is valuable in almost any situation. For a job interview, for new people you will meet, in meeting clients, first dates, and even at school. Taking time to prepare your students to start great and stay strong in the classroom is very helpful.

A good impression can help a student pass through the school year. A bad impression lasts and it can take a long time to go past that. It is reality. As a teacher, it is important to help your students make a good impression not only to their peers but to other teachers as well. Come to think of it, even us teachers are guilty of looking out for who are naughty and who are nice. We watch the naughty ones and guard their every move. The same is true with the classmates and schoolmates. This thinking can be a hindrance for a child to enjoy school and this affects school performance.

As teachers and parents, we can help our students become prepared to make really good impressions. First is to help them by proper orientation to the school, its surroundings, rules and regulations, and what they need for the school year. Proper orientation that children understand well can add confidence to them. If they are well-informed, they can stride through school premises with their backs straight up.

Introduce them to their teachers. If not possible on the first day, inform them who their teachers will be for their different subjects. Inform them of their subjects and what they can expect to learn. Try to size up their readiness for school and try to fill in gaps if necessary.

Make sure the students are comfortable in the classroom. Being fidgety only adds to stress and they might do or behave inappropriately. This may lead to uncomfortable conditions for them. Overwhelming experiences can also trigger anxiety for them and this will not be helpful at all.

First day jitters can be managed and teachers can help in handling these properly. Let the students shine eventually but help them be prepared on the first day with your encouragement and support.

References:

Bar-On, R (2006). “The Bar-On model of emotional-social intelligence (ESI)”. Psicothema18: 13–25.

Lantieri, L. and Goleman, D. (2008), Building Emotional Intelligence: Techniques to Cultivate Inner Strength in Children

Mayer, J.D.; Roberts, R.D; Barasade, S.G. (2008). “Human abilities: Emotional intelligence”. Annual Review of Psychology 59: 507–536.

 

 

 

By: Mrs. Aline S. Manlapid | Teacher I | BEPZ Elementary School | Mariveles, Bataan