Mindfulness for NQTs: Pay attention to your words

Whether this is in terms of talking to yourself (we all do that) or talking to others about yourself or others, then pay attention to your words. It is far too easy to be caught out by being negative or dismissive of yourself and others without actually wanting to. In teaching, this is especially easy to do and if you spend a lot of time in the staff room, then this will absolutely be happening.

Don’t get caught out. Stand strong and pay attention to those words. When talking about yourself, use your self-awareness and other strategies we have discussed so far and simply be realistic about your lessons and your day. If you drop into being negative then this can linger and also don’t put yourself down to yourself or to others.

This is important with students too. Pay attention to the words you use with them as even if we say something quickly without actually meaning it, those words can land and soak into the student and they can hurt. Surely, we want to build students up as much as we can to believe themselves to be worthy, enough and talented in whatever way they wish to see that.

These tips will be shared all through August to prepare NQTs for this coming year. They can also be found across social media on my accounts.

Book your place on one of the 30 minute workshop every Wednesday through August through http://www.beingthebestyoucanbe.org only for £5. Facebook: Being the Best You Can Be Facebook group: Mindfulness and Compassion for Teachers, Educators and School Staff Twitter: @alisonlaycock23