Health & Fitness
Back to School – Making Good First Impressions
With back to school upon us give your child an advantage with teaching them how to make a good first impression !!!!
Back to school and making a good first impression: The new school year is upon us and it’s time for kids to get back into the groove. Some kids will be going to the same school and some will be going into a brand new school. Either way you will be meeting new people. New classmates, teachers and principals. It is very important to make a good first impression so you can lay a solid foundation for the rest of the school year, especially with your elders. Now a high five may be enough with your friends and teachers after you’ve gotten acquainted, but as your first point of contact it may not be your best option. Every back to school season at The Dojo Stamford we role play and go over what it takes to make a good first impression. We go over how to introduce yourself and how to actually shake someone’s hand. Ask any of our students how to do it and they will show you how. Eye contact, firm handshake and speak clearly is what they will say. Always take their hand firmly, look them in the eyes and speak with a confident voice. “Hello my name is Johnny it’s nice to meet you”. This tactic will have your teacher, principal and friends thinking that you are a person who is respectful and deserves to be respected.
Over the years I have had several parents come up to me and give me examples of their children using this knowledge and how proud it made them feel. It’s priceless. Guess what? This also works for adults. Give it a try and feel your
confidence soar.Topics like this are being taught in martial arts school across the country. Things like first impressions, standing tall and being confident. Little things that are being taken forgranted. Everyone assumes a child knows how to shake someones hand or to look people in the eyes or speak with confidence, but if they never been taught, how would they know? My next blog will focus on bullying and what you can do to help your child.
You can reach Shihan (master instructor) Manny Esmeraldo and his awesome staff at 203 322 2433 or check out the website at www.thedojostamford.com. Shihan has been teaching at The Dojo in Stamford since 1994 and can be reached through email at thedojostamford@gmail.com.
