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The crucial lesson for youngsters to learn, whether you call it a development mentality or an innovator’s attitude, is that you are not expected to be good at something the first time you attempt it. In truth, learning a new skill usually entails making a lot of mistakes, getting a lot of support, and working extremely hard. However, the more you do it, the more you learn, the more confident you feel, and the more you may achieve in the end. In a nutshell, it’s a valuable lesson. If we want our kids to try their best and reach their full potential, we have to help them face their fears of trying new things. These strategies and tips will help your kids gain confidence and collect more positive risk-taking experiences, and over time, they just might surprise themselves.
How Can We Teach Our Children This Lesson As Parents?
Put yourself in the zone:- Ideally, your children should be attempting new activities that are a little bit beyond their comfort zone—but not by much. To effectively learn, their new endeavors should exist in the zone of proximal development, which is the place just beyond what they can perform on their own but not completely out of reach.
Set incremental targets:- Big objectives are fantastic, but setting a goal of, say, obtaining the lead in the school musical or skiing a black diamond may be too much to bite off at once. Instead, help your children establish some small goals along the route to the big one, such as singing in the chorus or completing a variety of blue runs. Identifying and appreciating minor milestones along the road makes the overall goal feel more manageable.
The positive response towards effort:- How we respond to our children’s explorations into new experiences can either set them up for success or put a stop to them before they even get started.
Give insightful compliments:- Don’t, no matter how tempting it is, complement your children’s intelligence or talent. Recognize their hard work, determination, and development, as well as the methods they employed along the way. This form of praise helps to shape children who are “hardy and resilient,” in Dweck’s words.
Help your kids gain the confidence to try new things by being their biggest supporters. Even for adults, doing new things can be awkward, draining, and frightening. But we encourage our children to do so because we know that attempting new things leads to learning, and we want our children to be curious, self-sufficient, well-rounded individuals, ready to experience everything life has to offer, from food and friendship to sports and performance.
Don’t get too caught up in what didn’t go as planned:- While constructive criticism has its place, it can be more beneficial to just applaud the aspects of the effort that were successful while celebrating a new accomplishment. For example, if your child gets dressed all by herself, instead of pointing out that her shirt is on backward, simply celebrate that she got her shirt on.
Relieve the pressure – Here’s how to do so:
Make it enjoyable:- Humor is a tried-and-true technique for relieving pressure in any situation. For example, if you want your kid to try new food, you might model tasting it in a very goofy way.
- Reduce the stakes.
- Try something new as a family.
- Model attempting novel tasks.
It’s quite powerful for children to watch their parents doing new activities, especially if they’re not great at them right away. For example, if you’ve always desired to draw, grab a sketchbook and draw for 5 or 10 minutes every day. Keep track of your success and show your children how much consistent effort you are putting in.
HELPING KIDS GAIN THE CONFIDENCE TO TRY NEW THINGS
New experiences can be scary! These (success plans/ways of reaching goals) will help you support your kids and give them the confidence they need to try new things.
There are three fears many kids have in common:
1. Fear of the unknown
2. Fear of trying something new
3. Fear of failure
Fear is a completely (usual/ commonly and regularly/ healthy) response to new and challenging situations, and that’s not always a bad thing. We’re naturally likely to keep ourselves safe. But sometimes, that desire goes too far, keeping us from learning and discovering new and exciting things.
But most of life’s challenges will require our kids to branch out (reaching out to possible friends, looking (for) a job, trying a new sport or activity, etc.). And chances are, they will feel a little fear and stress. After all, most kids don’t enjoy the idea of trying something that’s too hard, too scary, too dangerous, or possibly embarrassing.
But that bit of feeling of being worried and upset is a sign of growth and is often the very thing that fuels success.
So if your kids have ever said things like, “I can’t do that,” “I don’t know how,” “It’s not for me,” or “It’s just too hard,” they’re not alone. Fear can leave them feeling powerless and capable of being hurt, stripping them of any confidence to branch out and try new things.
But with your help, they can learn that it’s okay to take risks. And over time, they’ll learn to tackle new situations (problems, delays, etc.) or skills with confidence.
Also read: Exploring Emotions and Reactions of Children Hand-In-Hand
FAQs;
Why is it important to encourage children to try new things?
Even for adults, doing new things can be awkward, draining, and frightening. But we encourage our children to do so because we know that attempting new things leads to learning. However, the more you and your ward learn, the better.
How does your child explore and learn new things?
Listening, reading aloud, and discussing ideas are the greatest ways for auditory learners to process information.
How do I teach my child to keep trying?
Give them opportunities to succeed; give your child responsibility. Don't give up on them when they give up on themselves, remind them of their successes.
