A child psychologist is urging parents and grandparents to adopt six key strategies to better support children’s growth and development, according to Parade.
- Normalize Mistakes: It’s important for children to understand that mistakes are a normal part of learning. Instead of aiming for perfection, share your own mistakes with your child and explain what you learned from them. This helps the child see mistakes as opportunities for growth.
- Stay Calm: Children are more likely to develop a growth mindset if they see their caregivers handle mistakes with calmness. Yelling or reacting in frustration can negatively impact their ability to learn from the situation. Dr. Jessica Mercer Young suggests parents take a moment to breathe and remind themselves that mistakes are a chance to learn.
- Reflect on Mistakes: Encouraging children to reflect on their mistakes fosters growth. Ask them questions like, “What happened?” and “What can we do differently next time?” This helps them process the mistake and learn from it.
- Work Together on Solutions: Instead of providing all the answers, guide your child in figuring out how to fix the problem. This teaches problem-solving, a vital skill for life.
- Teach the Value of Failure: Failure should be seen as part of the learning process. Help children embrace challenges by reminding them that it’s okay to fail. Reinforce the idea that mistakes help their brains grow.
- Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: Instead of emphasizing perfection, encourage progress. Saying “practice makes progress” highlights the importance of learning rather than achieving flawless results.
In addition, Dr. Young advises against telling children they’re “so smart,” as this could discourage them from embracing challenges. Instead, focus on praising their effort, which fosters a positive attitude toward learning. For example, saying, “I noticed you worked really hard on that! How do you feel now?” shifts the focus to the child’s growth and feelings.
These strategies not only help children develop important life skills but also nurture their ability to overcome challenges.
Credit : Parade