[BLOG] BH Girls teach me to hug the monster
"We encourage all girls to try when learning is hard. 'Take that challenge,' we say. Students are developing skills to bring them closer to success in pursuit of their goals," notes Rita Trautmann, Centre for Learning Coordinator at Balmoral Hall School.
Recently, she and I discussed what it means to "hug the monster" – a catchphrase that is often heard in our classrooms. Further to neuroscientific theories developed by American educator and psychologist JoAnn Deak, "hug the monster" is a truly inspiring call to action. (Learn more about it here, as Dr. Deak shared her theories during a workshop at Balmoral Hall in September 2014.)
"The hardest part of learning something new is risk-taking," says Ms Trautmann. "Girls are especially reluctant to risk a mistake, fearing failure as well as embarrassment, in front of their teachers and peers. In this way, they can limit their potential."
Balmoral Hall School's mission, however, is to inspire girls to excel, to reach, and to lead, and so I asked her: "How can we embolden others to 'hug the monster'?"
She then told me that Middle School students, in particular, have some wonderful insights about their own mindfulness, fostering a growth mindset, and more. Which is why I decided to ask them, directly: "What does 'hug the monster' mean to you?"
She then told me that Middle School students, in particular, have some wonderful insights about their own mindfulness, fostering a growth mindset, and more. Which is why I decided to ask them, directly: "What does 'hug the monster' mean to you?"
AMY / GRADE 7
"Monsters can be big and scary, something to be afraid of, but we can overcome that fear if we embrace it. We gave our monsters names to make them more friendly; this is Mr. Pablo Rodriguez."
GRACE / GRADE 8
SAMAH / GRADE 7
"To me #HugTheMonster means that I speak up when I have something to say. If you're shy, or you don't think your opinion matters, @balmoralhall we are becoming more and more comfortable with sharing a point of view. This gives #BHgirls confidence."
SAIJE / GRADE 8
"Taking risks, leaving your comfort zone, and trying new things. This is how #BHgirls aim for success."
GINA / GRADE 7
After interviewing these five BH girls, I am genuinely humbled by their wisdom. In fact, I have decided to make "hug the monster" my professional mantra. After all, in public relations (or any career, really), a fixed mindset will not bring success, and – like so many others, BH girls included – I have goals to pursue.
Hereby, I pledge to "hug the monster" the next time I feel afraid.
Now, I ask you, reader: "What would you try if you had no fear of failure?"
Join Balmoral Hall School's #HugTheMonster conversation on social media.
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Balmoral Hall School
630 Westminster Ave. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 3S1
Tel: (204) 784-1600 | Fax: (204) 774-5534 | info@balmoralhall.ca
Charitable Registration No. 12994 3932 RR0001
Tel: (204) 784-1600 | Fax: (204) 774-5534 | info@balmoralhall.ca
Charitable Registration No. 12994 3932 RR0001
Our mission at Balmoral Hall School is to inspire girls’ imagination and the courage to excel, to reach, to lead, to care.
We are a nondenominational independent day and boarding school, educating students from Junior Nursery to Grade 12.
