The Words We Wield

A word is dead when it is said, some say.
I say it just begins to live that day.
—Emily Dickinson

Cymatics is the fascinating study of how sound affects physical matter. I heard Mike Howerton share a bit about cymatics at a gathering for musicians in Seattle. In addition to saying that sounds and words matter greatly, Mike proclaimed that we have the ability to not only speak truth into the lives of others, but to create truth.

I was pondering this statement when an example sprang to mind. My husband was in the fifth grade when a music teacher asked him to mouth the words instead of sing. Her request created a “truth” that changed him, shaping him so completely that 48 years later, he is still mouthing the words, despite my assurances that he has a nice singing voice.

It is a good reminder that the words we wield are powerful. They leave lasting impressions that help craft the sense of self that students carry into our classrooms every day and will continue to carry far into their futures. Peter Johnston has two books worth reading about this very subject. In Choice Words he demonstrates that simple changes in how we phrase things or ask questions can have a significant effect on our students. In the sequel, Opening Minds: Using Language to Change Lives, he continues to show how the words we use affect students not only today, but throughout their lives. He provides specific examples of ways we can modify what we say to best help our students grow intellectually and emotionally.

Both books deserve to be read and revisited. Each time I reread them, I choose one new phrase to add to my repertoire. For example, the first time I read Choice Words, I made the simple and powerful shift from “I am so proud of you” to “You should be proud of yourself.” That puts the focus on intrinsic motivation instead of my external evaluation. If you are looking for a practical book study that will help you refine the way you speak to children, these are both worth your time.

If, as Emily Dickinson said, our words are just beginning to have life today, we want that life to be characterized by good things, kind things, and resilience and hope.