Raising Brave Kids

Are you raising courageous kids? Are they willing to try new things, meet new people, and embrace new opportunities to learn? Some children dive right into unfamiliar situations while others hold back. Both responses are totally normal for kids large and small.

Bravery can be taught. There are many ways to encourage children to be courageous. Whether outgoing or timid, children benefit from parents who help them learn to be brave. Use the following ideas to inspire courage in your family.

Seven Tips to Raise Courageous Kids

1. Describe the new experience. Explain what your child can expect. Knowing what’s going to happen as well as what’s expected of the child will ease anxiety and foster confidence.
2. Remind your child of past bravery. Courageous actions like going down the big slide at the playground, meeting a friend for the first time or trying a new food are positive reminders of how a child has been brave in the past.
3. Reassure verbally and physically. Take part in the new event or experience with your child. Encourage with words and actions.
4. Model bravery, unconditional love, and support. 
5. Encourage appropriate risk-taking.
6. Allow children to fail. Failure is an opportunity to learn and grow. Recount a time you failed and had to try again. Perseverance is a quality to encourage.
7. Normalize feelings of apprehension. Everybody is nervous now and then. It’s helpful for kids to know Mom and Dad get nervous sometimes too. Click HERE for tips to calm anxious children.

© 2020 Becky Danielson. All rights reserved.

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