There are tears, but be "sympathetic and encouraging"
Ms. Tran Lam Thao, multisensory lecturer and Director of TitBrain Education, said that crying is a natural human reaction to strong emotions, but it is not always beneficial. As a therapist or psychologist, intervening to make a client cry must be done professionally, respectfully and empathetically, with the goal of helping the client release emotions, not manipulating or causing harm.
Students of Thuan Kieu Primary School (District 12, Ho Chi Minh City) and teachers wrapped Chung cakes for the Lunar New Year 2025 to give to students in difficult circumstances. This practical activity helps students learn the spirit of empathy, sharing, and helping friends around them.
Inducing emotions, including tears, in children and students during the process of psychological education can bring both benefits and harms. Among the benefits are emotional release, showing empathy, learning how to manage emotions. However, if emotional induction is not done properly, it can cause psychological damage to children, especially when children feel forced, manipulated or unsafe, or can cause children to lose trust. In addition, trying to make children cry can be counterproductive, making them feel uncomfortable, resistant or suppress their emotions even more.
Ms. Thao affirmed: "Educating children about ethics and life skills does not necessarily mean making them cry. There is a concept in dialogue called "Motivational Enthusiasm". Motivational Enthusiasm does not focus on making others cry, but on helping them feel understood, sympathized with and encouraged to overcome difficulties".
Empathy helps children feel trusted, encouraged, and motivated to try harder. In addition, empathy helps them learn to identify and manage their emotions, develop communication skills, and problem-solve.
HARMONIOUS COMBINATION OF EMOTION - REASON - ACTION
According to Master Nguyen Mong Tuyen, Executive Director of the Language Academy, making students cry is only a temporary effect, not a long-term impact. "Without appropriate educational methods to maintain and reinforce lessons, 'crying' will not bring real educational effectiveness. Students need to be equipped with skills, knowledge and life values to be able to overcome difficulties on their own, not just rely on temporary emotions," Ms. Tuyen emphasized.
"The true purpose of education is not simply to impart knowledge but also to awaken potential, develop personality, and train life skills for students. Focusing on temporary emotions such as crying can make us forget this core purpose. Instead of focusing on evoking negative emotions, we should aim for positive educational methods that help students develop comprehensively in terms of intelligence, physicality and spirit, such as learning through experience, developing critical thinking, encouraging creativity... This will truly bring long-term, positive and more exciting results," Ms. Tuyen added.
According to Ms. Tran Thi Que Chi, Deputy Director of the Institute for Educational Sciences and Training (IES), the most effective educational method is to harmoniously combine emotions - reason - action. When teachers and speakers can arouse students' emotions, having the first contact with the audience is a good feeling. Then, be rational to bring students specific, practical messages for them to remember. Don't be absorbed in making students cry because it will do more harm than good.
Inducing emotions, including tears, in children and students during psychological education can have both benefits and harms.
SELF-AWARENESS, SELF-LEARNING THROUGH REAL-LIFE SITUATIONS
Educator Nguyen Thuy Uyen Phuong, Chairwoman of the ICS School Board and founder of the TOMATO Kindergarten and Extracurricular School System, asserts that true emotional education must be built on the foundation of understanding and meaningful action, not just temporary emotional stimulation. It is necessary to create opportunities for students to not only feel but also understand and act on those emotions, helping them develop a strong and sustainable personality.
Ms. Uyen Phuong encourages moral and skills education that focuses on the comprehensive development of students, encouraging them to be self-aware and learn through real-life situations. Through this, students not only practice communication skills but also learn how to evaluate and make decisions based on their moral values. Experiential learning methods, such as participating in volunteer activities, also help students practice values such as compassion, sharing and social responsibility.
According to Ms. Uyen Phuong, in addition to learning through real-life situations, there needs to be a long-term consolidation process. Moral and skills education cannot be based on just one transmission but must be a continuous process, with continuous guidance and encouragement from teachers. Creating student communities or groups, clubs that remind and help each other is also very important, so that students can maintain and promote values in real life.
"Finally, we need to help students realize that the right action is not to please others, but to develop themselves and contribute to the community. Let them have the opportunity to experience and explore their emotions, thereby learning how to self-manage their emotions and act consciously," Ms. Uyen Phuong commented.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dung-nuoc-mat-giao-duc-tre-em-loi-bat-cap-hai-can-huong-toi-phuong-phap-tich-cuc-185250206224005159.htm
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