Weekend Words: Hard is Okay

As teachers, we try to make hard fun.  But, sometimes hard is just hard.

I have seen students struggle and when I ask what is happening, he or she will say with great frustration, "This is hard!"

My response?  "And. . . ?" Said with a quizzical look as though I'm confused as to what the problem is.

My response is usually  returned with an equally confused look and again they blurt, "But, it's hard!'

Sometimes this is also followed with, "I can't do it. It's too hard."

My response?  "It might be hard, but that doesn't mean you can't do it.  It just means you have to work a little harder at it and not give up. And, I'm going to help you.  Let's look at it together."

Giving up because it is hard is never an option!

Instead, acknowledging that it very well may be hard, but you can do this, and I'm here to help you do it wins every time.

Hard is okay.

Being willing to tackle hard builds stamina, perseverance, and thinking skills.
Being successful at hard brings pride, knowledge, and a belief that you can do those hard things!

It makes that next hard thing a little less hard.