25 Mar Crețu Crinela Luciana: Appreciation – a practice for well-being in the classroom
For primary school teacher Crețu Crinela Luciana from Number 4 Secondary School, Sibiu, February is not just about shorter days and cold winters but about warmth of the soul, friendship, and the power of a simple “Well done!”. In her classroom, appreciation is not just a concept but a daily practice, a method through which children learn to recognize and value both their own qualities and those of their classmates.
The Month of Appreciation – When Every Child Shines
For the past two years, February has been a time to celebrate each child in the class. Every day, one student is named “Child of the Day”, receiving a personalized certificate and a symbolic prize. While last year’s surprises were school supplies, this year, thanks to the class reading club, each child receives a book.
However, the true reward is not material – it is emotional. The teacher describes the chosen student’s qualities without revealing their name, and classmates try to guess who it is. Most of the time, the recognition comes instantly – a sign that the students notice, know, and appreciate one another.
Appreciation Creates a Safe Emotional Environment
Beyond the symbolic prizes, this exercise in mutual recognition has a profound impact. Well-being is not just about comfort but also about validation, about knowing that what you do matters and is acknowledged. In Ms. Crețu’s classroom, appreciation becomes a habit, and children learn to express it naturally and sincerely.
“Hearing ‘Well done!’ spoken with such sincerity and seriousness by two 8-9-year-old children is, in fact, a true achievement in education.”
This atmosphere of encouragement and mutual support fosters an environment where children feel safe to be themselves, recognize their emotions, and develop empathy. Instead of competition, the classroom nurtures a space where success is shared and every child feels like part of a supportive community.
Education as a Life Model
The lesson these children learn goes beyond their years in school. Appreciation, cultivated from childhood, helps them grow into adults who recognize both their own worth and that of others. This daily exercise shapes their self-perception and influences the relationships they will build in their families, workplaces, and communities.
Through initiatives like this, teachers become guides in their students’ journey toward a life where respect, recognition, and mutual support are core values. And when such principles are embraced with joy, education becomes more than just a process – it becomes an experience that inspires and transforms lives.
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