NAIROBI: Attitude matters. I know this because I failed in mathematics. One could argue that I may not have the acumen for numbers. That was not it; I failed in maths and excelled in physics.
The same scenario was repeated when it came to history and geography. I remained top in every school I studied history in. I got 30 per cent in form one geography. My teacher almost wept with joy when I dropped the subject!
The disparity between these subjects was a direct reflection of my attitude towards them. I hated mathematics, ergo, I failed. Unfortunately this attitude became an ingrained habit, even today my students know I am “geographically challenged” as they put it. I thought until very recently Mauritania was an island. This from a person who can draw the map of Europe during world wars one and two from memory!
What leads to negative or positive attitudes towards subjects in students? One of the most important influences is the teacher.
I had little love for my maths teacher in high school. Her classes were boring and uninspired. She punished us more than encouraged us. We could barely hear what she was saying!
Her attitude clearly said to us, her students: “I would rather be anywhere else”. We responded by sleeping and coming up with creative ways to get thrown out of class. Our grades in maths spoke volumes of our efforts. Unfortunately, she was also my chemistry teacher. You can guess my attitude towards that subject as well.
The second influence is parental. Without knowing it we pass on our likes and dislikes to our children. My mother loved to read. She passed on this love for books to me and my siblings. Growing up at a time when the TV came on at 4pm and went off air at 11pm, books became a constant companion.
It is here my love of history was incubated. I loved the way the course of things unfolded. I have had good teachers and boring, droning ones in history, my performance remained stellar. An attitude ingrained.
While children may be intrinsically predisposed towards some subjects, we, as the influence in their lives, play a big role. As teachers it is our mandate to make our subject as interesting as possible. Here is a simple truth if it is not fun, then they will not be engaged.
As parents, show them the value of the education they are getting, that mathematics means you get the right change from the grocer, science leads to tasteful food, music soothes the soul and history explains why we are as we are. Practical examples that take the mystic out of the classroom.
A positive attitude ingrained becomes a beautiful, empowering habit. Give them that gift.
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
join