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3.1: "English" - Page 12-16

classroom: English BACK TO CONTENT NEW OPTIMISM "Yesterday I was reading a story in a book of Martin Seligman and recognize that all this depressed children we meet need the help and care of a realistic adult first. " by Dhyan Vermeulen (This is the october 2003 theme of EQEE network www.eqee.org) The story of Alan (thats the name Martin called him). At the age nine Alan was what some psychologists would call an omega child - somewhat shy, poorly coordinated, always chosen last in games. He was however, exceedingly bright and gifted young artist. His drawings were the best his art teacher had ever seen by a child in elementary school. In Alan's tenth year his parents seperated, and he went into a depression. His grades plummeted, he seldom spoke, and he lost all his interest in drawing. His art teacher refused to give up on him. He got the boy to talk and discovered that Alan thought himself stupid, a failure, a sissy.....and somehow to blame for his parents' seperation. Patiently the art teacher made Alan see how wrong each of this self-assessements was and led Alan to other, more realistic judgements of himself. Alan came to accept that... The teacher knew Alan's parents and was able to show him that he had no rule whatsoever in their seperation. In effect, he helped Alan change his explanatory style. Within a few mounths Alan was drawing again and make some progress in sports as well, with spirit and enthusiastm substituting for skill. No longer an omega child, Alan was road to becoming an alpha. Do you recognize 'the Alan' children in your classroom? Do you believe teachers can help them to change from depression to 'new optimism'? Do you have experiences with 'depressed' children? Feel free to tell there story. We can learn from you because you have real teachers experience. & Learned Optimism by Martin E.P Seligman. Best regards, Board of EQ Europe Education BACK TO CONTENT Back    Next European Network on Emotional Quality © 2002-2008