In today’s society, it’s increasingly important to raise children who embrace the principles of courage from an early age. This doesn’t only mean taking physical risks, but also developing emotional and intellectual bravery. Courageous children early on recognize their strengths and weaknesses, and what excites or does not interest them.
They can use this knowledge effectively as they learn and grow. Equipped with this understanding, they are more likely to create a life they love. They are also likely to be students who take learning risks, leading to outside-the-box thinking. And the world needs such thinkers.
What is courage?
Courage is closely related to determination, perseverance, and self-confidence. It manifests as the ability to face challenges, take risks, and act despite possible fears. It’s important to understand that courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to confront fear and move forward regardless. Developing courage in childhood lays the foundation for taking learning risks and also promotes creative thinking.
It’s advisable to start practicing courage as early as possible. The consequences of failure for a small child are minor. As they grow older, taking risks feels more significant. For example, learning to skid on a bicycle. When small, both the bike and the speed are limited, so a fall might only cause a minor scratch. As they grow, with increased speed and bike size, the potential injuries can be more substantial. Therefore, learning to recognize the right speed, understand different riding surfaces, and the “art of falling” is best taught in early childhood rather than in the impulsive teenage years.
Children are more capable than you think
When you engage with a child without too much restriction, and maybe even encourage a little, you are often surprised by the child’s abilities. It is delightful to watch a child succeed for the first time, whether it’s pushing off on a skateboard or climbing high into a tree. Almost as delightful as seeing the smile that beams on their face for hours after such an achievement and self-conquest. Those are the faces of victory!
And no, I’m not just talking about adrenaline sports. It’s equally thrilling to see a child sing in front of an audience at a school spring concert or stand up to a bully for the first time. These are memories that predict our children’s futures. They are moments of “I can and I will.”
Positive Speech
Positive speech is important. It creates positive internal dialogue. Courageous people don’t think, “This is too hard. I can’t do this, I just can’t” – they speak like this: “Yes, I can do this!” What we tell ourselves can be incredibly powerful in assessing and taking risks. Fortunately, parents and teachers can model this; it’s a teachable skill.
Failure as a Learning Tool
Failure is also an essential part of the learning process. It provides an opportunity to learn from mistakes and grow. It’s important that children learn to handle failures constructively and understand that every failure is a step closer to success.
Ultimately…
Raising courageous children requires balance – giving them the freedom to try and learn, while also providing support and guidance. This isn’t always easy for parents who struggle with their own fears and a desire to protect their children from too much danger. However, by giving children the opportunity to face challenges, we also give them the chance to grow, learn, and develop into fully-rounded, courageous individuals.
