I’ll never forget a fifth-grade student I taught years ago named Jake. This remarkable child was bright, academically inclined, and motivated, yet struggled whenever he faced creative tasks. Art class was a daunting experience for him; he would often shut down. I tried various methods to engage him, but nothing seemed to resonate.
One day, as I wandered around the art room, I noticed Jake was completely absorbed in his work, creating a piece with confidence and imagination. It was a breakthrough moment for him. I felt a rush of pride and wanted to share his achievement with his family. “Can I take a picture of this?” I asked. His face lit up with joy. “I’d love to send this to your mom so she can see your hard work right now! Can I take a picture of your artwork?” He eagerly agreed, and I emailed it to his mom while he watched.
To my surprise, that small phrase and the act of capturing his work had a profound effect. From that day on, Jake consistently produced impressive projects, blossoming into one of the most dedicated artists in my class. I began using this strategy frequently, and it became a powerful tool in my teaching.
Whenever a student chose to stay in during recess to wrap up an exciting project, I would say, “Can I take a picture of this? Your dad will be so proud of your dedication!” Or when a typically disorganized student organized their desk, I’d ask, “Can I take a picture of this? I want your grandma to see how neat your workspace is now.” This simple question became one of my most effective motivational techniques. I reserved it for moments when I was truly impressed by a student’s accomplishment, and the results were remarkable; their motivation, performance, and self-esteem soared.
It took me a while to realize I could apply this same approach at home. A few months ago, I walked into my son Leo’s room and discovered he had dressed himself—a significant feat, considering that getting dressed had turned into a daily struggle for us. I couldn’t help but smile at his mismatched socks and backward pants. “Oh sweetie, you look so adorable! Can I take your picture?” I said. He beamed with pride, adjusted his outfit, and consented. Since that day, he has been getting dressed independently nearly every morning. I believe that capturing that moment motivated him to keep it up.
Encouraged by this success, I decided to try it again. Leo is fascinated by animals; he loves pretending to be them and reading about them. Recently, I had hoped to introduce some variety into his playtime, so we decided to build with blocks together, despite his initial reluctance. While I answered a quick phone call, Leo continued to build. Once I hung up, I was amazed to see a towering structure made from magnetic blocks, with his animals set aside.
In that moment, I couldn’t contain my excitement. “Can I take a picture of this?” I interrupted. He lit up. “Can I send it to Daddy? I can’t believe I did this!” After taking the picture and sharing it with Dad, Leo has been building towers every day since.
Every day, I marvel at the incredible people my children are becoming. Yet, amidst the daily chaos—laundry, meals, tantrums—I sometimes forget to express how proud I am of them. The phrase “Can I take a picture of this?” has transformed my parenting approach.
This simple question, along with taking pictures, has turned out to be incredibly motivational for my kids. When I achieve something noteworthy, I share it with friends and family, so why wouldn’t they want the same? I capture moments both big and small, from made beds to quiet reading times, and share these snapshots with family. These pictures have not only documented their achievements but also reinforced their growth, giving them a boost of confidence and joy.
Reflecting on my phone’s camera roll reveals a timeline of my kids’ accomplishments and moments of pride. I see the small victories that might have otherwise gone unnoticed, all thanks to this new phrase and my camera.
In conclusion, adopting “Can I take a picture of this?” into my parenting has made a significant impact, allowing me to celebrate my children’s everyday successes and encourage their continual growth.