Presbyterian Preschool Services’ desire to build a strong foundation in truth, beauty and goodness for each child is expressed through the nurturing of the following positive dispositions in our children. Namely grit, generative-ness, grease, grace and gratitude.
As we journey alongside your family to inspire every child to learn, grow and glow, we hope you will find ways to inculcate these values at home too! Read on to find out more about these dispositions and what are some practical examples your family can adopt!
GRIT
Embodying the spirit of tenacity; recognising that failures are a part of life, embracing and rising from failures positively, and having the courage and resilience to overcome all of life’s challenges and difficulties.
Examples of what we can do with children at home:
If you see your child struggle with a task, do not sweep in immediately to “rescue” them. Instead, encourage them to try on their own. If they fail, suggest ways they can try again.
For example, when your child struggles to pour water out of the jug into their cup independently:
Instead of taking over the task and helping them with the pouring, suggest ways that they can try again. You could help them try another grip of the jug, or give them a jug with lesser water to show them they can do it when the task is adjusted to their abilities.
GENERATIVE-NESS
Being a creative and restless contrarian who practices inventive thinking and sees possibilities even in impossible situations.
Examples of what we can do with children at home:
When you encounter a problem, ask your child for their opinion before resolving it on your own. This encourages them to think out of the box and be active problem-solvers.
For example, instead of offering your child off-the-shelf toys, provide a box of scraps of anything you would otherwise throw away, calling it your “Invention Box”. Give your child craft materials and encourage them to build something new from those scraps! Provide them with the space to display their creation and talk to them about it!
GREASE
Engaged and assiduous doers who are willing to get their hands dirty, demonstrating great willingness to try, explore and experiment.
Examples of what we can do with children at home:
Involve your child in chores at home, even the ones that may seem dirty or unglamourous. You may also model “grease” for them by not avoiding the challenging tasks yourself.
For example, when you are making dinner, provide opportunities for your child to get involved even when they may make a mess.
GRACE
Recognising that all of life is a good gift and that we are all recipients of grace from others, learning to extend this same grace to others which includes having the ability to forgive.
Examples of what we can do with children at home:
During decision-making process, provide opportunities for planning to take place together and invite your child to negotiate their perspective instead of making decisions unilaterally.
Model what extending grace looks like to your child and also in front of your child with other adults, providing them with vocabulary like “thank you for apologising. I forgive you.” Or “I appreciate you for sharing your thoughts with me.”
GRATITUDE
Always being in a state of contentment and thankfulness, and ever-ready to show appreciation to others and reciprocate kindness.
Examples of what we can do with children at home:
Be intentional about setting aside time as a family to share what are we thankful about one another.
When your child helps you, thank them for their effort and their willingness. This models gratitude for them in the every day moments.
The process of journeying with a young one will prove to be challenging. Often times, we project our personal experiences in our own childhood on our own children. It takes intentionality, planning and unlearning in order to create opportunities for positive dispositions to be cultivated. However, with time, children will learn from the model we provide for them and this will set them apart for the rest of their lives.
If you’re interested to learn more about why these positive dispositions matter so much to us, read about the what, the why and the how behind our “truth, beauty and goodness” curriculum here: https://www.presbypreschool.edu.sg/post/the-truth-beauty-and-goodness-curriculum
