Attention - How many times do we hear people say "he's acting up because he wants attention"? We hear it all the time! Giving a child a healthy amount of attention lets them know they matter and they are important.
Appreciation - The dictionary says that appreciation is the recognition of the value, quality, significance, or magnitude of people or things. Think about that in comparison to our children. Wow! Their value isn't even measurable. Their quality is perfection. Their significance is to most parents what breath is to life. Their magnitude is off the charts! We need to show our children that we appreciate them and their contribution to our lives.
Affection - Hugging your children is not spoiling them. Giving a loving pat on the back does not make them weak. A kiss doesn't make a child a sissy. Children need healthy, loving affection. Without affection, they don't thrive or grow properly, emotionally or physically.
Acceptance - Acceptance is, in my opinion, the most necessary of the four A's. Accepting a child and letting them know that they have unconditional love just because they "are" and not because of what they do or accomplish is the foundation for everything. It's giving them the courage to try and being there to catch them if they fall in the trying.
While all of these sound primarily for parents, they are equally as important in the classroom. I have the unique situation of being on both sides of the classroom door. As a preschool teacher, I've watched scared and shy children come out of their shells because of the four A's. As a mother, I've watched as my own children thrived and excelled in classrooms where the four A's were freely given.
These are truly motivators for our children. They help to build a healthy self-esteem for children. In turn, the belief is that they also help produce healthy, positively contributing adults in the long run.
Other articles you might like:
Typical Behavior Milestones
101 Ways To Praise A Child
