Teacher Tuesdays: 4 to 1 Ratio
Yesterday, I overheard my Nanima talking on the phone to her sister. I’ve eavesdropped on their phone calls before and, typically, it’s a back-and-forth conversation updating each other on their respective grandkiddos.
It’s quite cute.
Yesterday, I happened to hear my grandma offer her sister some wise words.
She said, “For every negative comment, you should say five positive things.”
I stopped what I was doing, so intrigued by what I heard.
She was speaking my language. [Well, she was speaking Hindi. Duh.]
But she was telling her sister what we so often hear in our schools regarding effective classroom management.
As educators, we should be aiming for a 4:1 ratio of positive comments to negative corrections. By doing so, positive behaviors are likely to increase and negative behaviors extinguish over time.
It never occurred to me to transfer this over to everyday life.
To my conversations with my family and friends.
Until now.
So, happiness tip of the day: Follow Nani’s advice. Drown out the negatives with positives. Positive behaviors will likely increase.
Question of the Day:
- What life lessons did your Gram or Gramp teach you?
I think I’ve rubbed off on her real good!!
Wow! Love my mom for having said that!
I believe thinking negative is like walking into a dark room! Do Not Enter That Room ! Walk out and shut the door ! There is so much sunlight out….so much wonder to see. and hear.
Sadhguru says “One who cannot listen can never learn. Listen not just with your ears but with your body, breath and being”.
So be out and absorb!!!!!!
Love you my DIVPIV !!
Can you imagine how much better a place the world would be if everyone stuck to that ratio?! Wise words! <3
Well said Nanima.
Well evesdropped & well put together in writing. Our cute teacher/blogger.
Missing you. xoxo
I love this! I don’t think I ever heard this rule but I definitely use it in my classroom – and now I’m going to make sure I use it in my daily life too!