I’m Chipper for Positive Parenting!

Keeping a positive perspective allows you to approach each moment – with or without your child – in a more constructive way. The most important step begins by giving pause before responding to a situation. When you take just a few extra seconds to think about your verbal response or reaction, you allow yourself to consider everything/everyone.

The “I’m Chipper For…” program and activity uses positive reinforcement to build good character and confidence in children! Chipper is here to engage, excite, and educate.

We also want to provide an opportunity to help children settle into learning by grounding our energy and calling our attention into the moment so everyone is present, respectful, and acknowledging.

Inspire a positive outlook and approach to each day so children are emotionally ready to learn! Follow the lesson below.

Objective:

Inspire a positive outlook and approach to each day so children are emotionally ready to learn. Positive thinking plays a major role in building resilience, self confidence and coping skills.

Daily Practice: “I’m Chipper For…”

1. In silence, lift Chipper up and attract your student’s or child’s attention forward.

2. Hold Chipper close to your heart and inhale again, then exhale. Begin your thought: “Today, I am Chipper for …”

3. Be honest. Be joyful. It is a positive pause to allow everyone to contemplate your “Chipper” moment. You can be Chipper for anything:

• The rainbow you saw on the way to school

• The dog you saw playing at the park

• The way your students played before lining up for class

• The way a child resolved a situation in the home or on the playground

Giving the opportunity to your students:

Ask your class: “What are you Chipper for?” Responses can be in silence. Or pass Chipper to a child and ask for a response. Make this a daily “passing” exercise so children anticipate sharing a positive thought with their classmates. This exercise takes 3-5 minutes and kids should be settled. Utilize this exercise at the beginning of school, after recess, or when a class becomes disruptive and attention needs to be redirected. Set a time at home, whether it’s before school, after dinner, or at bedtime.

Remember:

Start each day by bringing the attention forward with your thoughtful comment. If you pass Chipper and ask for participation, reiterate that there is no right or wrong answer. It is okay to think about what you are Chipper for and just smile; you are sharing a moment and an emotion.

Variations:

• As students become comfortable sharing their Chipper feelings identify age-appropriate issues and practice taking a more positive approach to solving the issue.

• Use your Chipper moment to settle your class throughout the day. SAVE & PRINT!