Building Connecting Relationships & Home Schooling

Covid 19 is imposing many restrictions on our communities and in particular schools.  My seven-year-old, grandson Jack, who is in Grade 3 is doing his schooling with me, his sister is being supported by their mother, who is also working from home. One could be forgiven for thinking that supervising Grade 3 work would be a breeze! Well let me say it is not!  Maths has changed dramatically! The challenge that I set myself is to be curious instead of telling and to use my connecting behaviours instead of the disconnecting behaviours. Teachers do a magnificent job and I say THANK YOU! 

I chose to use curious conversations and connecting behaviours because I know as an educator, quality learning is about fun and discovery.  Also, I am a grandmother supporting my grandson and we have a beautiful relationship that I want to continue to flourish. Jack is a beautiful little boy, who is doing well in these unusual times. 

Today was a great day.  Jack had a book to read that gave us the opportunity to investigate “concentration”.  The story enabled a great curious conversation about what concentration meant and what he could do to practice concentration. 

Jack is a typical seven-year-old, he fidgets and gets easily distracted.  We discussed strategies that he might try to keep him on task and focused.  He tried them out and did a fantastic job – he used his ideas.

Dr William Glasser the founder of Choice Theory, Reality Therapy and Lead Management talks about Connecting and Disconnecting behaviour.  The only thing that we have total control over at any age is our own behaviour.  

As human beings we have been conditioned to blame, criticise, complain, nag, bribe, threaten and punish.  The question is, do these disconnecting behaviours build strong and loyal relationships?  No, of course they don’t.

Glasser’s connecting behaviours ask us to listen, support, encourage, negotiate, respect, accept and trust.  These behaviours build relationships that endure and flourish.  These behaviours also create an environment where productivity whether in the classroom or in the workplace increases significantly. 
 
Self-esteem grows and people gain confidence to push their boundaries.  Jack pushed his boundaries today and he was so happy at how well he worked.  He finished all of his work in record time, which meant he had more time to play.  Most importantly he did it for himself not to please me. 

Whilst I probably will never be good at Grade 3 Math, I am building a great learning relationship with my beautiful grandson Jack.

Every challenge brings a great opportunity!