verb (used with object) -To affirm as having substance; give body to; strengthen: to substantiate a friendship. http://dictionary.com/ . Can you remember a time in your life when someone praised you publicly? At a time you least expected it? George M. Adams said that “encouragement is oxygen to the soul.” If that statement is true, then I fear that many of our students are suffering from a kind of “Oxygen Deficiency Disease” in the classroom. Sociological studies have repeatedly revealed that all of us (from the cradle to the grave) need encouragement. Conversely, we know that many of the prevailing social ills that often lead to crime, addiction and even death, can be traced back to a lack of affirmation in the person’s life – particularly during childhood.
Dr. Thomas Phelan writes that “verbal praise and other positive interactions with your students should outnumber your negative comments by a ratio of three to one” - 1-2-3 Magic for Teachers: Effective Classroom Discipline, p. 110.
Dr. Glenn Latham from The Substitute Teaching Institute writes “Negative and corrective interactions should be outnumbered by positive interactions. A ratio of one negative to eight positive interactions is recommended.” -The Substitute Teacher Handbook, pp. 8-9
The best teachers understand how powerful a sincere word of encouragement can not only impact a student’s life, but also the climate of an entire classroom. Again, our words can either help or hinder and impact a student’s learning – not just in the classroom, but for life! At an Educator’s conference in Kentucky a few years ago I heard motivational teacher, Dr. John Maxwell talk about what he calls “The Elevator Principle” which says that “we can lift up or take people down in our relationships.” Nowhere is that people principle more evident then in the classrooms of many of our schools today.
As guest teachers we have opportunities each time we’re with students to “substantiate” positive behavior with a positive, affirmation of praise in front of their peers. After working with teens for over 20 years, I’ve come to learn that many students (and adults) struggle with self esteem. I honestly suspect that Reggie Jackson (a.k.a. “Mr. October” for hitting the most homeruns in a world series –Hall of Fame inductee) understood the importance of “substantiating” good behavior with positive reinforcement when he wrote, “ A great manager has a knack for making ballplayers think they are better than they are. He forces you to have a good opinion of yourself. He lets you know he believes in you. He makes you get more out of yourself. And once you learn how good you really are, you never settle for playing anything less than your very best”.
Every child, every student, -longs to hear the same words that Jesus heard from his heavenly Father who publicly “substantiated” His Son at the inauguration of Jesus’ earthly ministry in Matthew 3:17 when He said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
What are some ways in which you are who you are because you were publicly affirmed? How can we as educators and communicators do a better job when it comes to “substantiating” students with positive reinforcement?
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