Social emotional development and the skills for a successful life! Part 4: A conversation with Myrtille Brookson

 

"Childhood is an important stage in life, not a preparation for a future life but a genuine, bright, unique, unrepeatable stage in life. And how that childhood is spent, who leads children by the hand during their early years, what enters their hearts and minds from the surrounding world, determines what sort of people today's infants will become." - Vasily Sukkhomlinsky, The School of Joy

In my conversation with Myrtille Brookson, a Thinking into Results coach, we delved into her perspective on TIR and SEL and she shared:

“I resonate deeply with this quote by Emily McDowell”:

"Finding yourself" is not really how it works. You aren't a ten-dollar bill in last winter's coat pocket. You are also not lost. Your true self is right there, buried under cultural conditioning, other people's opinions, and inaccurate conclusions you drew as a kid that became your beliefs about who you are. "Finding yourself" is actually returning to yourself. An unlearning, an excavation, a remembering who you were before the world got its hands on you.

Thinking Into Results (TIR) was specifically designed to help individuals unlock their highest potential by understanding how the mind works and providing a clear process for achieving goals.

I also firmly believe that social-emotional learning (SEL), mindset building, and goal achievement are closely interconnected within the realm of personal and social development. While they are distinct concepts, they often intersect and reinforce each other, supporting individuals' overall well-being and growth. SEL lays the foundation for individuals to effectively set, pursue, and achieve goals, which is also the starting point in TIR.

Additionally, SEL refers to the process through which individuals develop and apply skills, attitudes, and knowledge to understand and manage their emotions, establish and maintain positive relationships, and demonstrate empathy and compassion towards others. TIR, on the other hand, focuses on empowering individuals to realize that they possess the inherent power to attain anything they desire in any area of their lives. By engaging the mind at both the conscious and subconscious levels, TIR enables the mind to absorb and respond to information instantaneously.

I asked Myrtille what she would do if she were a teacher, focusing on personal development and fostering a positive mindset, including goal setting. Her response encapsulated a range of strategies interconnected with self-confidence, talent development, and more. Here are some examples:

 

1.            Goal-Setting: Teaching children how to set goals and visualize them. This can be facilitated through activities such as creating vision boards, where children can draw or paste pictures representing their goals.

2.            Encouraging Self-Reflection: Promoting self-reflection by regularly providing children with opportunities to contemplate their strengths, interests, and areas for improvement. This can be done through guided discussions, journaling, or even simple questionnaires. By playfully learning about themselves, children can develop a positive self-image.

3.            Celebrating Achievements: Emphasizing the importance of celebrating children's accomplishments, irrespective of their magnitude. This helps boost their self-confidence and reinforces the belief that they can achieve their goals. Acknowledging and appreciating their efforts in reaching milestones or making progress is essential.

4.            Cultivating a Growth Mindset: Highlighting the power of a growth mindset, where children understand that their abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work and dedication. Encouraging them to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and persist in the face of setbacks. Success is viewed as a continuous journey rather than a final destination.

5.            Nurturing Talent: Creating an environment that fosters the exploration and development of each child's unique talents. This can involve providing opportunities for them to engage in activities they enjoy, such as art, music, sports, or scientific experiments. By recognizing and nurturing their talents, children can build a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.

6.            Promoting Positive Self-Talk: Teaching children the importance of positive self-talk and helping them reframe negative thoughts or doubts into more empowering statements. This can be achieved through daily affirmations, role-playing exercises, or even using visual cues like posters with encouraging messages.

7.            Encouraging Collaboration and Peer Support: Fostering a classroom culture where children support and uplift each other. Group activities, collaborative projects, and peer feedback sessions can help children develop teamwork skills, empathy, and resilience. Additionally, they learn that working together yields greater accomplishments.

The goal as a teacher would be to create a nurturing and empowering environment where children feel valued, supported, and motivated to explore their full potential. By integrating personal development, goal setting, and a positive mindset into their daily experiences, a solid foundation can be established for their future success and well-being.

As a parent, I can personally attest to the power of empowering children in areas where they initially lack motivation and believe they can't succeed. By helping them adopt the mindset that progress is natural and goals are attainable, we can witness remarkable transformations. Children begin to experience the strength of a supportive and nurturing environment, personalized instruction, and a positive mindset, allowing them to thrive academically.

Allowing children to instantly embrace and accept great ideas without the burden of limiting beliefs, as adults often grapple with, is truly inspiring. In that single moment, their minds open up to a world of boundless possibilities, instilling the belief that they are capable of achieving anything.

Let us remember that childhood is a precious stage of life, where the right guidance and support can shape individuals into empowered and resilient beings, capable of creating a brighter future for themselves and others.

Mytille concludes with her personal experience with her son:

Ocean

Myrtille 

“Ocean, despite primarily speaking English and Dutch at home, found himself attending a French school in Quebec. Overcoming the initial language barrier was a challenge for him, and he initially disliked the subject. However, through consistent practice, daily reading, and disciplined writing, Ocean began to see improvements in his French skills. Additionally, he received private French lessons that taught him effective strategies for comprehending French texts, boosting his confidence even further. To motivate him, I painted a picture in his mind where he would excel in French, surpassing even native French speakers. This lighthearted approach transformed his attitude and perception of the language. One day, Ocean returned home with a big smile, having achieved the second-highest mark in French class. We celebrated his success by enjoying a pizza at his favorite restaurant.

Teaching Ocean the importance of regular practice, reading, and writing in French equipped him with the necessary tools to enhance his language abilities. Private lessons provided personalized attention and effective strategies, enabling him to better understand and engage with the language. By fostering a vision of excellence and instilling a positive mindset, Ocean was motivated to improve his skills and dispel his initial doubts. This experience highlights the significance of empowering children in areas where they lack motivation or believe they cannot succeed. By nurturing a growth mindset and demonstrating that progress is attainable, children can flourish academically.

Witnessing the transformative impact of helping a child achieve their goals is truly inspiring. In that single moment, their horizons expand, and they embrace a world of infinite possibilities, fostering a deep belief in their own capabilities. Unlike adults, who often struggle with self-limiting beliefs, children possess a remarkable ability to embrace new ideas and accept their potential without hesitation”.