How to foster a positive mindset in class

Today is the first day of the rest of your life! Make it a happy one by thinking about all the blessings you have in your life.
In recent events that I have witnessed or heard about on the news, I am saddened by all the outrage in our country. I can choose to be upset and think negatively about life, but a negative mind brings negativity into your life, so instead I am encouraged to think about the blessings in my life.

 
If you think one positive thought every day, you will change your mindset. I truly believe this is true! This is something we should encourage our kids to do too!

Today we will learn different ways to implement a positive mindset in your class. Let’s go!

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1. Diamonds in your backyard

A while back a dear friend gave me a “Blessing Bracelet“.
It is a simple silver bracelet with 4 gold pearls. (Well actually since then I have bought many: silver pearls, white pearls, pink pearls for friends who had baby girls, and many more for any one I knew needed to think a little positive, or to show the blessings in life).

“Every time you wear this bracelet or think of this bracelet, think of 4 things you are thankful for in your life… one for each pearl.” It goes on to say that if you do this every day, you will see a change in the way you think and become more positive in your life.”

In other words, you will have a positive mindset and notice that: “Your diamonds are not in far distant mountains or in yonder seas; they are in your own backyard, if you but dig for them.”

Russell H. Conwell, Acres of Diamonds

Look for the positive in every situation, and you will find it!

I don’t think we actually need a bracelet to do this, although I do love jewelry and I do get many compliments when I wear my bracelet. I think we just need to count our blessings every day and let the positive light shine through. I have to admit that I have done this and it has changed the way I think about life. Sour ideas or negative thoughts are magically transformed into sweet, dazzling, positive affirmations and blessings. Well that may be a bit over the top… but you get the idea!

2. The 10 day challenge

For 10 days, write 4 things that you are thankful for or blessed to have in your life every day. Write the ideas down where you can see them and refer to them daily, in a journal perhaps.

It can be as simple as: “I am blessed to be able to have a cup of fresh hot brewed coffee” or “it is a beautiful day and I am going to take a walk this morning because I can” or “I feel blessed that I have 2 beautiful healthy children”. Try it, you’ll like it and see just how your mindset changes! I bet you will be pleasantly surprised with the outcome!

Here are my 4 positive thoughts, diamonds or blessings for today:

1. We have a brand new grandchild who has joined our family 2 weeks ago.
2. My husband is finally almost finishing painting our living room…he started 2 months ago and our living room is not that big… #oopslettingthecatoutofthebag.
3. I took #Allegra and my allergies are gone for the next 12 hours.
4. I had a great conversation with my daughter-in-law this morning.

I hope you realize just how important a positive mindset is in this journey called life. Has there been negativity in my life? You bet! Do I choose to focus on it? No! Why? Because I believe that every negative situation can be turned into a positive one.

For example: My dad had a stroke many years ago, and he was pretty much in a wheelchair for 6 years after. However, those 6 years were very inspiring because it gave me a chance to get to know him so much better. It kept him in one spot (just sayin’), and our visits meant so much to both of us.

3. A positive classroom

So, I got to think about how we can encourage students to have a positive mindset too.
I started putting inspirational quotes in 8×10 frames, and I created a bulletin board for our classroom in a spot where the teacher could glance at to receive some uplifting words to sooth the soul. However, as I thought about it, I came up with some other ideas, which I will now share with you. Since I created these, I have had a few individual requests. A principal told me once that he would like to have these framed for his office.

• Create a bulletin board, as mentioned above, using these quotes either framed or mounted.
• Frame a few quotes and place them around your classroom and/or in your office.
• Make a wall display in your office.
• Show a quote per week during the morning meeting, and encourage your class to brainstorm the meaning of the quote and to explain their thinking.
• Give small groups of children a quote. Each group should have a different one. Have them use the response frame provided to think about their quote and what it means to them. Then, have a sharing time during which each group shows the quote, explains what it means, and discusses their thinking. Other students can have a time to share their ideas about their quotes in the same manner. After each presentation, children can agree or disagree with the ideas and support their thinking.

These can also be used in a writing center, and each child can do what is mentioned above using the response frame, or you can have them write about what the quote means to them and how this can be applied to their life.

Conclusion

If you have read this post all the way to the bottom, give yourself a pat on the back and take the first step. Share your 4 blessings in the comment section below, and let’s start a Positive Mindset Movement!

I want to foster positivity in my classroom!

And you? How do you foster a positive mindset in your classroom? Tell us!