Once Upon A Time A Child Learned To Be Brave – Parenthood
Our little hero was able to face the little bullies at his school and felt stronger to form new friendships and look to his future with hope…
Ken Robinson, a famous British educator, author and lecturer, tells us that he often observes in his work that the current education system is failing in many ways. In addition, he observes that we as parents can be wrong about certain “little” things.
You may be wondering…. Where am I wrong? The answer is simple and worth thinking about: we educate them for the outside world.
We want our children to be proficient in different school areas. We also want them to adapt to this changing and above all demanding society.
So what Professor Robinson tells us is that we often forget to educate their internal abilities. To teach them strength, creativity, self-confidence and intrinsic motivation.
We must offer them psycho-educational strategies to give the world courageous children, capable of taking care of themselves and, in conscience, of building a better world.
Mom, teach me to be brave, tell me how to be a stronger child.
Once upon a time, there was a puny child, fragile in appearance and with a pleasant smile. Our protagonist led a rather lonely life: he had few friends and little time to share with his family. His parents worked all day and he, diligent and talented as he was, was getting very good grades in school.
His parents looked at him with pride. They told themselves that they were doing things right, that everything would be fine for him. They were happy. Until the day our little hero approached his mother and, for the first time in his life, asked her something: “Mom, teach me to be brave”.
The protagonist of this story was not roughed up, but felt that one day or another it could happen. One thing is certain, it is that this child was tired of being afraid often. Afraid of talking to people, afraid of disappointing the older ones, afraid of the dark, of what there might be under the bed, afraid one fine day of becoming invisible …
Educating for courage from an early age
Something you have no doubt understood is that parents in our history have neglected one of the most essential aspects of their child: his emotions.
It is fundamental that from an early age we create a safe atmosphere in which our children can feel loved, protected and encouraged. Unlike our little protagonist who was afraid of becoming invisible, someone on the verge of evaporating …
So, first and foremost, you need to provide children with a physical and emotional comfort zone where they can grow in size but also in feelings, strength and self-esteem.
Later, as the days go by, one of the essential roles will be that of “extinguisher of fears”. It is necessary to know that what he hides behind his many fears is a feeling of insecurity. Therefore, we will not hesitate to provide them with strategies to face their fears, to reason with them and to confront them.
Encourage their internal security
- The child who wishes to be courageous must have a sufficient sense of inner security. For this, it is essential that as he grows he can take on more responsibilities.
- Any responsibility improves their perception of themselves. Gradually, they will feel able to do a lot of things.
Take care and not over-protect
We know, what mother does not wish to remove all danger or harm from her child?
However, remember that we cannot be with them 24 hours a day, it is important that we let them go, that we give them the right learning opportunities so that they learn the best lessons: those of their own experiences.
Feed their conscience
You need courage to make the right choices when others don’t. You have to have the temperament to know how to say “no” to what others can do, to refuse to take that cigarette, to refuse to record this fight in the playground on your mobile phone, like everyone else does.
Explain to him that he who is courageous is the one who acts according to his conscience and his good values.
A book about it
Finally, we want to recommend a very interesting book that addresses this subject and which can be of great help to you with your children.
Psychologist James J. Crist’s “Survival Guide to Overcome Fears and Worries” will help us educate children who are more courageous and able to even face their own fears.
This American psychologist specializes in the issue of trauma, depression and psychological disorders in children. One of the goals in this book is to help the little ones understand and rationalize the world of fears.
It is a bedside book for us and for our children who can put an end to their fear of the dark, fear of tyrannical children at school and even put an end to their most frequent nightmares.
It really helps to dive in and start putting the tips in there into practice.
