Known as “Zest” within the VIA classification of character strengths, enthusiasm is an approach to life which is also known as vitality. People who are enthusiastic do everything with excitement and energy.
Enthusiasm comes within the Engagement arm of our PERMA model – “I make the most of my learning opportunities”.
Exhibiting enthusiasm could involve:
-Doing a physical activity of your choice, one that you don’t ahve to do and that you are not told to do.
-Actively participating by asking questions or listening closely
-Showing enthusiasm through smiles or excited comments
-Invigorating others around you
-Exercise is a great way to use the strength of zest
-Celebrate you next two accomplishments and victories and include others without doing this in a boastful way.
Enthusiasm is similar to Zest and in this clip, students explain the power of Zest!
An attitude of enthusiasm can help you with your learning.
Which character strength do you think this person is using?
My guess would be “Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence” as she seems to be enjoying the natural world, or nature. But it could also be Curiosity or Enthusiasm or any number of character strengths.
I love going into classrooms and seeing our character strengths displayed.
What I love even more than this, though, is seeing character strength spotting activities proudly displayed!
We all have all of the character strengths, but in varying degrees and the character strengths that you identify with can change over time.
Research has shown that using our character strengths makes us feel happier, more confident, increases our energy, lessens our stress, helps us to achieve goals and grow as individuals.
Character Strengths are displays of human goodness. Spotting strengths in others is a great way to make you feel good because you are filling someone else’s bucket, and a good way to make them to feel good because you have filled their bucket with a compliment.
At Barwon Heads PS, we have our own, kid friendly, version of the 24 Character Strengths.
These were designed by our talented Art teacher Mr Phillips – no points for guessing what his signature character strength is!
The Character Strengths are integral to our PERMA wellbeing model and when choosing your personal wellbeing goal, you can choose a character strength that you are aiming to increase in your own day to day life.
This video is titled; “Know Your Character Strengths”.
My favourite character strength spotting activity is the cloud activity wherein each student in a classs writes their name in a cloud. The cloud is then passed around the class and very other person writes what they think each other person’s character strength is.
What is your favourite character strength activity? I’d love it if you could let me know by posting on this blog. You could even make up your own strength spotting classroom activity and share it with us.
At this time of the year at school “Leadership” is on the minds of some of us as we think about our goals for the remainder of the year the the year that is ahead of us.
People who are good leaders are able to organise their group and make sure that everyone feels included.
When thinking about Leadership, we can all bring to mind people who we know and admire who are great leaders. Some of these include our parents, family members, teachers, Mr Vella and public figures. Nelson Mandela is one who springs to mind for me as does Bachar Houli, the Richmond AFL player.
“The Lorax” is a great example of leadership. The main character is upstanding, inspiring and brave enough to do what’s right.
Positive bystanders are also good leaders as they stand up for what they know to be right.
A big part of being a great leader comes within the MEANING part of our PERMA model – I belong to world bigger than my own. Which of the statements do you think apply to leadership?
Do you think that King Pig was a good leader?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMUY-6y4qMs
This is a clip from when Barack Obama was the President of the US and here he and Kid President talk about what it means to be a good leader.
All the Character strengths and more are needed for being a good leader!
Fairness is a character strength that fits within the relationship arm of the Barwon Heads PS PERMA starfish.
Fair means treating everyone equally and giving everyone a fair chance. Fair is when everyone has their needs met. To be fair you need to remember to treat people the way you want to be treated.
People who are fair play by the rules, they take turns and think about how their actions may affect others.
The following videos show examples of both unfairness and fairness.
This is Our House by Bob Graham
At school and at home, when playing (games and sport) and being with others, there are many examples of writtten and unwritten rules to make things fair to everyone.
Being a positive bystander is another example of fairness.
Some more examples of unwritten rules can be; in my home, people take their shoes off before they come inside if they are muddy or wet so as not to dirty the floors. Another understanding is that we take it in turns to wash the dishes after dinner.
In the classroom, students know to put their hands up if they want to speak as it’s unfair to the teacher and their classmates if they call out. Another unwritten rule is that we are considerate of others, especially our classmates and teachers.
Can you list some rules, or understandings that you can think of that make things fair? Why do we have these understandings/rules?
