As the conversation on mental health and self-esteem continues to open up across the country, we're recognizing that taking a few moments daily for positivity is something we all need to make time for. Taking time for a positive mantra or self-esteem-boosting saying can help reduce your daily stress, even if it's just for a few seconds.
Children can especially benefit from the positivity, as they are sometimes the most unsure of themselves. One teacher was floored by a student's mother's simple way of making sure her child felt that sort of positivity for moments each day.
Amanda Cox is an elementary school teacher in Beaumont, Texas. Amanda found herself short on pencils and asked children to pull out any extra they had in their desks. One of her students volunteered a few pencils. While Amanda was sharpening the pencils, she noticed the student's mother had written positive phrases on each of the pencils. She was inspired to share the heartwarming idea with the world.
When Amanda Cox asked her students to pass up any spare pencils they had, she had no idea what one student would give her.
As she sharpened the pencils, she noticed one student's pencils had positive messages written on them by his mom. Curious, she asked to see the rest.
Every one of his pencils had a note on it. Amanda explained what the simple act meant to her. "This probably took his mom a few minutes to do yet it lit up his whole day at school," she wrote in her Facebook post.
Pencils with reaffirming messages have been a hot item this year.
While they might just seem like another novelty item to some, the idea that a little message can brighten your day is something students should be reminded of, in hopes they might incorporate it into their own actions.
Such messages also encourage kids to approach their education with positivity and a zest for learning.
Amanda's post quickly went viral, accumulating nearly 200,000 shares. Her message resonated with parents and educators alike.
"He wasn’t embarrassed that his mom wrote on his pencils. Thanks to his mom, he was reminded of his self worth and wanted to share the same feeling with his classmates," she explained of the student's demeanor in sharing the pencils.
Teachers see firsthand that some kids don't get the encouragement they need to thrive at home. Sadly, teachers are also spread thin and not always able to fill in the gaps.
Amanda made sure to point out that both parents and teachers have a responsibility to be supportive figures in their child's educational journey.
"THESE are the things that we should be reminding our kids (both parents AND teachers)," she wrote. "Imagine the look on a child’s face when they are reminded that they are important, talented, loved, knowledgeable and so much more"
"Help them know that someone believes in them and is proud of them in everything they do," Amanda wrote. "Even if you think it is cheesy or you don’t have enough time or that you will have little impact, remember that you may be the only one telling and reminding them these things and EVERY kid needs to know their value."
Many commenters reiterated the importance of positive reinforcement for growing minds.
Some parents even shared that they took action and decided to write messages on their kids' supplies upon seeing the post.
As kids go about their day, learning and processing, they'll have a sweet little message that reminds them they always have someone in their corner.
