I think I can, I think I can

“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford

So much of a student’s success is wrapped up in their belief in themselves. The key is in helping students embrace a belief that they can. Extra-curricular activities provide a great way to drive this point home to students:

• If you’re standing at the free throw line and believe you’re going to miss, you will.
• If you think you’re going to forget your lines in the performance, you will.
• If you believe you can’t land the jump in ballet, you won’t.

On the other hand, if a student goes into each of those situations believing they can, they will have significantly increased their chances of success. The same applies to school work. If your child feels stuck, ask her what she can do to move forward. Any small step forward, any belief in a successful outcome, will eventually lead to success. It’s all a matter of how we help our students frame their thinking.