Values literacy – a catalyst to improve motivation, discipline and behaviour

Rosemary Dewan

Rosemary Dewan is the CEO of the Human Values Foundation which promotes the importance of teaching human values in schools. Since 1995 it has been providing practical, cross-curricular programmes for personal development and behaviour management, integrating SMSC, PSHE education, Citizenship, PLTS and SEAL.

Follow @HVF_Values

Website: www.humanvaluesfoundation.com Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Teachers have one of the most important roles in society today because of the profound and lasting effects their work has, individually and collectively, on influencing and shaping the lives of young citizens in the making.

Along with parents and carers, teachers are significant role models for children and young people. When youngsters look around and out into the world beyond their school gates, they cannot help but become aware of scandals rocking the fabric of society - to the extent that they wonder what they are eating. High-profile cases make clear how the lives and relationships of some people have disintegrated because they have been tarnished by behaviour based upon undesirable values. For example:

  • Dishonesty – MPs fiddling their expenses
  • Greed – Sports stars fixing matches
  • Malpractice – Police officers who are corrupt
  • Uncaring – Hospital staff maltreating patients
  • Deceit – Business leaders conspiring to contaminate food

Recent Department for Education figures have revealed a shocking rise in violence by young children. They indicate that at least 40 teachers are attacked every school day by pupils aged between 5 and 11. Official statistics show that this lack of discipline and decline in pupil behaviour translates into a 15% rise over four years in the number of children in primary schools being excluded for a fixed period or even permanently.

Expectation of values at the heart of a school’s curriculum

While the core National Curriculum continues to be distilled, each school remains responsible for planning and implementing its own curriculum, which “should reflect values in our society that promote personal development, equality of opportunity, economic wellbeing, a healthy and just democracy and a sustainable future”.

Generally, the best outcomes arise when the whole school community is invited and encouraged to engage in embracing, promoting and living these and other positive values. This helps to raise standards and equip pupils with rewarding mindsets and character traits as well as attractive qualities. Along with a good grounding in emotional literacy, participants are enabled to manage their lives more effectively while at school and they become well prepared for “the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life”.

Such a supportive approach raises everyone’s awareness of just how much our values guide and inform our everyday thinking, decision-making and behaviour and it’s conducive to a more cohesive community, with the added bonus of parents and carers feeling more connected and keener to actively engage in their children’s education and development.

Empowering children and young people

Just as values are an integral part of our day-to-day living, so by embracing the concept of explicit values education and regularly talking about values, they become an integral part of all that takes place in the school. Suitably selected core values establish the ethos and define the culture and environment. By giving children and young people the opportunity of systematically exploring, practising and reflecting upon a wide spectrum of relevant values, they become increasingly enlightened and empowered. They gradually develop essential life skills and a heartfelt understanding from which they can benefit in their daily experiences and as they begin to take more responsibility for shaping their own futures and the kind of society in which they want to live.

In line with curriculum expectations, a well structured, comprehensive approach to embracing values and recognizing them as part of the reality of everyday life, provides deep, experiential learning in a safe, calming and supportive environment. Pupils become ever more aware of how chosen values impact:

  • themselves – as they grow and develop spiritually, morally, socially, intellectually and physically
  • their relationships – as they develop and strive to achieve fulfilling, happy and healthy lives, to the good of the community
  • society – which is constantly evolving with contributions from a diverse range of people, cultures and heritages
  • our environment – as the basis of life and a source of wonder and inspiration that needs to be protected

Studies have shown that this holistic philosophy integrates very well with the curriculum and is transforming teaching and learning worldwide. Reports reveal that pupils hunger to develop themselves and grow; they become more motivated; their behaviour improves; they are more disciplined; they enjoy problem solving and seeking out solutions; their academic performance is enhanced; their social and emotional learning flourishes; their relationships are enriched, and their overall wellbeing rises. Educators experience tangible improvements in the quality of their teaching and interaction with their pupils. Leadership is inspired. Parents and carers are delighted with the transformative effects on their family life and their children’s ongoing successes and future prospects.

The foundation for a better future

If we want to see changes in the world for the better, as individuals we need to take stock and be prepared to change. This requires some deep personal reflection, so that we have a clear vision, purpose and values and it takes courage to challenge our underlying assumptions, habits, beliefs and traditions.

The sole objective of an organisation called The Foundation for a Better Life is to promote positive, relevant values and encourage viewers to “Pass Them On”. They communicate values through inspiring messages in cinemas, on television, on billboards, on the radio and via the internet. They believe that people are basically good and often benefit from a simple reminder. Their website – values.com - offers a variety of uplifting materials, including video clips and quotations, in an effort to promote good values, good role models and a better life. Anyone can take advantage of their resources for 92 inspirational values!

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