After reflecting on this information and reading the article from Verywellmind, my next steps are to be more intentional about showing unconditional positive regard in daily interactions with every person I interact with, but especially with students who struggle with confidence or behavior. It’s easy to praise effort and achievement, this comes very naturally in PE classes, but I want to make sure my students feel valued simply for who they are. Regardless of their actions or their abilities, I want to offer consistent support and be a gentle reminder that one bad day doesn’t define their worth. As I was listening, I thought to myself that this is something I'd want to share with my own children in the future to help them feel accepted and develop their self worth, but also teach them the right way to treat other people. Like the article stated, this allows people to align who they are and who they want to be. It’s a powerful reminder that our words can directly impact how students see themselves long after they leave our classrooms.
