Chances are, when your child tries something new for the very first time, they’ll be pretty nervous. And that is completely okay! Nerves are a sign of growth, and if you’ve heard your child say that they can’t do something because it’s “too hard” or “they don’t know how,” you are definitely not alone.
But with your help, your child can learn to step outside of their comfort zones and face new situations, difficulties, and skills head-on.
Encouraging Your Children
Children are more capable than they realize. As they get an idea of just how capable they are, they’ll feel more confident to step surely into what they may have tiptoed toward before.
Here are some helpful strategies that you can use to motivate your child to challenge themselves and try new things:
Remind them of past wins
Helping your children remember when they’ve succeeded in the past reminds them of that happy feeling, along with the fact that success is always possible—even when they think it’s not. Reminding them of past wins brings them back to a time when they might have been scared to try something, did it anyway, and enjoyed themselves.
Celebrate little wins
Taking baby steps toward a challenge is a big part of overcoming fear and anxiety, and the way you can do that is by celebrating the small things. Every step that your child takes is a brave step, and it’s a step toward the final goal. Each one should be noted and celebrated!
If you praise the process instead of just the final result, your child will learn to recognize their own strength and feel confident when confronted with future challenges.
Practice goal setting
Setting goals allows your children’s self-esteem and skills to grow and mature. It’s also a great way to teach them how to face new and challenging situations. If your child has a daunting event coming up, help them prepare by encouraging them to do the following:
- Discover: Brainstorm ideas for goals. What does your child want to learn/try/do?
- Plan: Create an action plan to reach the goal.
- Act: Work on the plan and record their progress.
- Reflect: How did it go? How can they celebrate?
Make sure that the goal your child sets is specific. Specific goals lend themselves to steps, a game plan, and a timeline.
Expose them to a variety of activities
Some children may dig their heels in when it comes to trying something completely new. And while this type of autonomy and independent decision-making is good in some instances, kids can take it too far. That’s when they need a little encouragement from their parents.
Children can’t figure out if they actually enjoy doing something until they try it, but if you’ve got an especially hesitant child, a way to make the situation less intimidating for them is by making the new activity a family affair. Try new foods, learn about different cultures, or join a club as a family. With their loved ones surrounding them, children feel safe and supported, and that strong foundation makes them more likely to branch out on their own in the future.
An Exciting Future
Helping your children try new things is a great way to ensure that they become lifelong learners who remain curious throughout childhood and adulthood. At Austin Children’s Academy, this thought process is something we value highly. To learn more about our school or schedule a tour, get in touch with us today.
