Wellbeing

The Power of Positivity for Our Young People

At school, we know that a cheerful, respectful mindset doesn’t just make the classroom a better place, it helps our children thrive as learners and as kind citizens. Here’s a warm reminder of how the three ingredients of positivity, self-esteem, and service to others work together in a child’s life and some simple ways you can help at home.

1. Positivity & self-esteem

When children believe in their worth, they can try new things, bounce back from mistakes and connect with others. Experts tell us that self-esteem is shaped early when children feel “noticed, accepted and appreciated” by the adults around them. It’s not just about big achievements: children build confidence when they are encouraged to try, to learn from mistakes, and to use words like “I can…” and “I will give it a go.” For example: knowing that making an error is part of learning, not a sign of failure. As parents, you can help by giving specific praise (“I saw how you helped your friend pick up those books, thank you”) rather than vague or inflated praise (“You’re perfect!”) which may actually make children more afraid of failing. WIRED

Tips at home:

Encourage your child to talk positively about themselves: “You gave that a good go!”, “I like how you kept trying.”
Model a positive mindset when you make a mistake: “I dropped the jam jar, oops! Next time I’ll open it more carefully.”
Celebrate small efforts as well as big wins.

2. Respect & kindness

When children learn to respect themselves and others, they build healthy relationships and feel more connected. Respect is not only about manners, it’s about empathy, listening, valuing others’ feelings, and having the confidence to set boundaries. Parentley+2SchoolMyKids+2 Teaching respect early helps children understand that they matter, and so do the people around them. That sense of belonging and value is linked with better friendships, less anxiety and a stronger sense of self.

Tips at home:

When you talk with your child, listen fully, eyes down, no distraction and show you value what they say.
Encourage them to consider how others feel when making choices (“How would you feel if that happened to you?”).
Remind them that saying sorry, fixing a mistake and forgiving are signs of strength, not weakness. The Parenting Pro

3. Service to others – a gift to both child and community

When children help others, whether simply at home, at school, or within the community, they gain a sense of purpose and grow in confidence. Research shows helping others boosts self-esteem and social connection. Kong Academy+1 Even small acts of service help children feel they belong and that their actions matter. It aligns beautifully with our school values, being respectful, being inclusive and being of service.

Tips at home:

Look for simple family service moments: help a neighbour carry groceries, write a kind note to someone, pick up litter in the local park.
Encourage your child to share their ideas: what could they do to help someone this week?
After the act, talk about it: “How did helping make you feel?” “How did the other person feel?”

Bringing it all together

When children feel good about themselves, treat others with respect and step into service, they become resilient, caring and confident young people. As our wider school community, we encourage you to partner with us in weaving these values into your home life too.

Thank you for your support and for being such an important part of your child’s wellbeing. Together, we can help every child shine.