Often, as parents we struggle to build confidence in kids.
Here are some easy ways that do not require any additional effort from your end but have promising outcomes.
Let’s discuss each of these 11 steps one by one to build confidence in kids.
Step 1:
Often, as adults we have the habit of coaching and mentoring kids, unnecessarily.
We like to control their ways of working and giving our kids too many directions.
This limits them to use their creativity and thinking ability.
Set them free and allow them to do their things- their way!
Step 2:
It is okay for kids to use their discretion and figure out their own ways and means of executing a task.
Even, if they fail , they would become quick adapters and learners.
They will know how better to approach a problem and will be able to think of better solutions when facing a similar issue.
This will enhance the kid’s confidence and will make them a more emotionally stable adult.
Step 3:
The word “No” should be a taboo word in the dictionary of all parents.
Even if kids have to be stopped from doing a certain thing , then, say it positively.
Eg:- Instead of saying, “Don’t jump off the table” , say, ” You might get hurt if you jump so high, want to still try jumping?”
The kid will definitely try a work around and his/her creativity will surely surprise you!
It will immensely help to build confidence in kids.
Step 4:
With too much of competition, parents tend to get more insecure and take too many steps to prevent kids from failing.
But, by not allowing your kid to solve his small fights with friends or by not allowing them to feel unhappy or sad; kids will be in for a bigger shock as they grow in life.
They will not be able to face the competitive world and will have multiple social, mental and emotional issues.
So, let them finish their difficult assignment on their own and let them face their fear of failures so as to make them stronger and sharper in life.
Step 5:
A lot of times parents expect their kids to behave as adults and expect them to ‘know it all’ from start to finish!
It is important to understand that whether your kid is 5 years or 14 years- let them be as they are and don’t expect too much of worldly wisdom from them!
It’s more important for parents to see things from the kid’s perspective than their own.
This would help to build a better communication channel between parents and kids thereby fostering a good emotional IQ for kids.
Step 6:
A lot of times, kids are discouraged to ask questions especially on sensitive subjects.
With the influx of digital platforms, kids nowadays are exposed to too many things that were not discussed a decade earlier.
As parents, it’s important to explain things in a kid- friendly manner than hushing them down or scolding them for asking questions.
Step 7:
No matter what the kid age- they learn by observing their parents and elders in the family.
When you share your life experiences with them, they learn things faster.
And of course, they will have their own words of wisdom for you!
Step 8:
Depending upon the kid’s age, ask them questions and seek answers from them.
This will prick the kid’s brain and they will learn the art of decision-making at a very early stage in life.
Step 9:
Kids are the most beautiful part of your being.
Shower your love, blessings and wishes to them everyday.
It’s scientifically proven that kid’s who are hugged and kissed daily are more emotionally stable.
Live your childhood once again with them.
Take part in their games and activities so as to understand their feelings better.
Step 10:
When you appreciate your kid in front of others, it builds the kid’s self-confidence.
They feel loved, respected and wanted.
This builds their self-confidence and gives a boost to their overall image in front of others.
Step 11:
Last but not the least, kid’s have the tendency to avoid difficult situations by slipping into the virtual world.
The impact of excessive screen time is known to one and all.
With online education being a part of kid’s schooling during the current pandemic, it is important for parents to regulate screen time beyond studies.
Keep a check of their online activities or else the kids might feel more a part of virtual world than the real world.
Conclusion:
As parents, we all want our kids to be independent and confident to face the world.
Raising kids is a process; not a one-time activity.
By taking the above steps, you can groom your kid to be calm, confident, and strong enough to easily take all the challenges.
Problem solving skills help kids to come up with different approaches towards the task at hand.
Children are able to understand the problem better and find effective solutions for them.
They know how to deal with a problem in a comprehensive manner by using “What, If” analysis instead of getting subsumed with the problem.
As kids are able to understand the context of the situation using multiple approaches , they are able to arrive at meaningful and effective solutions for the problem.
Developing problem solving skills during early childhood has a great pay-off later!
By using problem solving skills, kids learn to develop a strong mental attitude and can handle tough situations with ease as they grow up.
They grow up to becoming strong, mature and evolved adults who have a knack of solving things easily instead of complicating them.
When teachers ask kids questions such as “ what do you think if ….?” or “what do you think can be a better method to ….?” ; kids are being pushed to use their own creativity and talent to find a solution to a problem.
What are the examples of problem solving skills?
The first key skill that help kids to find meaningful, multiple solutions to the problem is “Active listening”.
When a kid develops the trait of hearing out others completely, they become better problem solvers.
The kids are able to “analyse” the questions and comprehend them completely.
Kids use their own “creativity” and “research” techniques to understand how a better solution can be worked out for the issues at hand.
This improves their “dependability” and enhances their “communication skills”.
It also makes them a “team-player” and they are good “decision -makers” as they take a 360 degree approach to problem solving instead of a bird’s eye view.
Why is it important to develop problem solving skills?
When a child is leveraging his ability to solve problems, it adds to his/her confidence.
With increased confidence, kids are able to perform much better academically.
This prepares them for taking future roles with grit and creativity.
Kids are able to resolve conflicts and come out of a distressing situation with ease.
It builds their resilience and a lot of these skills are learnt from teachers at school as school provides a safe and controlled environment to the kids to identify issues, come up with varied solutions, see which route works best for them in a given situation.
They are thus, able to analyse different outcomes and able to choose the most feasible solution thereby strengthening their decision making ability from early childhood.
This will eventually transform them to becoming more mature, dependable and resilient kids with a knack of solving issues with multiple approaches.
They also become effective listeners and good communicators.
How to develop problem solving skills among kids?
Some of the approaches wherein parents can work towards building problem solving abilities among kids from early childhood itself are discussed below.
1. Allow kids the freedom to do things their way: Do not over-shadow them in every task they are doing. By giving them too many directives, a parent will curb the kid’s ability to think creatively.
2. Ask kids for feedback: When kids take part in the different activities at home , for example, ” what gift to buy for a birthday party” , “how the kid would like to celebrate his/her birthday”; kids would develop their decision making abilities.
3. Interact through stories: Tell them some good stories befitting their age and ask them questions such as “Do you think it was the right action on the part of …?”, ” What do you think the person should do in this situation” etc. This forces the kid to think creatively. Who knows he/she can become the best selling author in times to come!
4. Allow kids to fail: Parents have the tendency to be over-caring and over-protective which is extremely harmful for kid’s holistic development. Do not offer your help in every school assignment or DIY tasks. They can come up with more innovative solutions than yours so give them the space to learn by themselves.
5. Play with kids: Different kinds of games such as puzzles, memory games, board games, activity books, building blocks are designed to develop thinking ability and analysing the different possible outcomes. Therefore, encourage all family members to bond over these activities that also develops multiple cognitive skills.
Conclusion:
Developing problem solving skills from early childhood helps kids to take decisions related to their studies, career and relationships with ease in the later stages of life.
So, just be a little more creative and encourage them to analyse, think and give their feedback and suggestions on different activities happening around you.
Let them work independently and do not try to solve every possible thing for them.
Allow them to seek help from friends, teachers and family members on their own.
This would help kids to grow into more balanced and happy adults.
