Written by Amanda Ensor

When someone smiles at you, you probably smile back—without planning it, without overthinking it. It’s automatic, and it’s something we’ve all experienced.

That small moment captures something profound about human psychology: positive signals are contagious. And when we, as K-12 educators, understand the cognitive science behind that contagion, we begin to see why positive messaging in schools can be transformational.

The brain on positivity: Why positive messaging is contagious

Cognitive psychology tells us that our brains are constantly scanning for emotional cues. When we receive a positive message, whether it’s encouragement, appreciation, or recognition, something happens.

Research shows that mirroring others’ emotions is an inherent part of how humans are wired. When we perceive positivity, our brains subtly replicate it. Psychologists sometimes call this emotional contagion—our tendency to unconsciously ‘catch’ the feelings and expressions of the people around us. 

This is why smiles spread across a room and why encouraging words can shift someone’s entire outlook. In short, positivity changes how we think, how we feel, and how we respond.

Why positive school communication matters

In schools, communication shapes relationships. And relationships shape outcomes. When families primarily hear from schools about problems, attendance, behavior concerns, and academic struggles, the brain begins to associate school communication with stress. Even well-intended outreach can trigger anxiety for families. 

But when schools lead with positive messaging, celebrating effort, recognizing growth, and highlighting strengths, they change the emotional foundation of the relationship.

Messages like:

• “Your child showed real leadership in class today.”
• “I’m so proud of the progress we’re seeing.”
• “Thank you for supporting reading at home; it’s making a difference.”

These messages do more than inform. They build trust. They create connection. They make future conversations easier. Just as a smile opens the door to interaction, a positive message opens the door to partnership.

Learn how TalkingPoints can help make spreading positivity through school–family messaging as easy as a smile for every K–12 educator.

The smile effect across a school community

Think about what happens when you smile at someone. Their facial muscles subtly mirror yours.
Their brain interprets the signal as warmth. Their stress levels decrease and their openness increases. 

Now imagine that dynamic scaled across a school community. A positive message sent home doesn’t just impact the recipient; it ripples outward. A parent who feels encouraged is more likely to respond warmly. A teacher who sees positive engagement is more likely to continue reaching out. 

Over time, the tone of communication shifts from reactive to relational. Positivity spreads because humans are wired for connection. And connection fuels engagement.

Positive messaging isn’t about ignoring challenges

It’s important to clarify that positive messaging in schools is not about avoiding difficult conversations. Students will still need support. Families will still need guidance. Challenges will still arise. But leading with strengths changes the context. 

Cognitive psychology shows that when people feel seen and valued, they are better able to hear constructive feedback. Encouragement builds what psychologists call “psychological resources, ”confidence, trust, and motivation. Those resources make growth possible. In other words, positivity doesn’t replace accountability. It strengthens it.

The compounding effect of consistent positive school communication

One smile can change a moment. Repeated smiles can change a relationship. The same is true for communication. 

When schools consistently share positive observations, small wins, effort, and improvement with families, they create a compounding effect: Families feel connected, not contacted only in crisis. Students internalize positive identities (“I am capable,” “I am improving,” “I belong.”) Teachers experience more meaningful engagement. And most importantly, trust grows. 

Over time, the culture shifts. What begins as a single encouraging message becomes a pattern. And patterns shape perception. Perception shapes behavior. Behavior shapes outcomes.

A simple daily practice for educators

If positivity is contagious, then every message is an opportunity. What if every educator committed to sending one positive message per day? Not a generic note or a mass communication, but a specific acknowledgment of effort, growth, or character. 

Something like “I noticed how hard you worked on that problem, or your child helped a classmate today” could really impact a student’s success. These small signals act like smiles sent across distance. They build connections, strengthen relationships, and create a shared sense of purpose.

The bigger picture: Building stronger school-family partnerships

At its core, positive messaging is about recognition. It says: I see you. I value you. We’re in this together. 

Cognitive science confirms what experience has long suggested. When people feel seen and appreciated, they show up differently. They engage differently. They persist differently. A smile may last only a second, but its impact lingers. The same is true for a message that affirms, encourages, or celebrates. In a world where communication is constant, tone matters more than ever. And when schools intentionally lead with positivity, they don’t just share information; they strengthen the human connection at the heart of education. Because just like a smile, positivity spreads. And when it spreads across classrooms, homes, and communities, the impact can be extraordinary. 

See TalkingPoints in action in just 90 seconds and discover how it supports positive, two-way, multilingual communication with families.

Celebrating 10 years of partnership and impact

For a decade, TalkingPoints has supported students, families, and educators through the power of effective family-school partnerships. As an education technology nonprofit, our award-winning communication and family engagement platform has improved outcomes for districts and students nationwide.

We connect 9 million+ educators, students, and family members annually and have facilitated more than one billion conversations, building trust, fostering relationships, and fueling student success. Named by Common Sense Education as “the best overall family communication platform for teachers and schools,” TalkingPoints drives measurable gains in attendance and academic achievement, backed by rigorous, causal research.

Join us in building a future where every child has the support they need to thrive.