TIP #84: The One Word Challenge for Teachers (with a Twist!)

The popular concept of choosing a single word as a focus for the coming year inspired my “One Word Project for Kids”. Now here’s a One Word Challenge for teachers – with a twist!
What is a “One Word Challenge”?
In a typical “one word challenge”, each person chooses a word that inspires them. This word then serves as their guiding light for the year ahead. But here’s the twist… I’d like to choose this special word for you instead.
Used correctly, the word I’m going to suggest can be a game changer for anyone who works with kids in any capacity. I know this because it’s been a game changer for me! So whether you’re an art teacher, classroom teacher, parent, or anyone with kids in your life, give this concept a try and watch what happens!
This word comes from the book, “Teaching with Love and Logic” by Jim Fay and Charles Fay, Ph.D. Their theory is that “Children learn from their mistakes when they experience the consequences of their mistakes, and adults in their environment provide empathy.”
You’ve likely experienced correcting a student, who then shifts any feelings of regret into frustration with you instead. This causes the lesson that could have been learned to be missed. But, when you express sincere sadness over a student’s poor choice, it creates a valuable learning opportunity for them.
How to use this “One Word Challenge” to help you help kids
Anything that involves breaking old habits of responding and learning to do things in a new way is definitely a challenge, but it’s worth the effort. Focusing on this “one word” can remind you to respond in a new way, helping kids learn from their mistakes.
The “one word” I’m suggesting for you is empathy. Empathy, paired with allowing a child to experience logical consequences, is at the heart of the “Love and Logic” method.
I’ve used “Love and Logic” with my students as well as my own kids, and I speak from experience when I say that it works. “A mistake can be a great teacher, provided the student is allowed to experience the consequence of the mistake,” explains Jim and Charles Fay. “Empathy expressed by the adult drives the pain of the consequence deep into the heart where it can grow into character and wisdom.”
So, if you’re feeling frustrated with your students’ behavior, and maybe even a little burned out on teaching, there is hope! You can learn to manage your class and regain your joy of teaching with this “One Word Challenge” and the “Love and Logic” method.
Let “empathy” be the “one word” that guides you in your teaching (and/or parenting) over the coming months. Keep it in the front of your mind with sticky notes in places you’ll see often or even in artwork. Then use it to establish new habits for responding to the choices your kids make that are not the best.
For a deeper explanation of “Love and Logic” and helpful examples of ways to respond, check out “Teaching with Love and Logic” and “Parenting with Love and Logic” by Jim and Charles Fay.
an inspiring quote
“When you don’t know what to do, or you’re too angry to think straight, delay the consequences.” ~ Jim Fay and Charles Fay Ph.D.
We’ve all been there. When a situation with a student catches you completely off guard, you don’t have to solve it on the spot. Reacting without taking time to anticipate potential problems or get support from other adults can make matters worse.
Instead, Jim & Charles Fay suggest you experiment with saying something like, “Oh, that was a bad decision. This is so sad. I’m going to have to do something about this. We’ll talk later.”
This will buy you time to consider your next steps and implement an appropriate plan on your own terms when you’re ready. In the meantime, your vague promise of doing “something” leaves your options open while keeping your student in suspense over what their consequence might be.