Radio Commentary
Self-confidence enables young people to succeed in school, but it can be difficult to acquire and even harder to teach. However, parents can help nurture those skills and reap the rewards that result.
For example, children can be taught to respectfully question some conventional wisdom. There will always be those who say that something can’t be done. Help children identify the difference between those who have real wisdom and those who are just naysayers.
Emphasize that practical knowledge is just as important as learned knowledge, because knowledge lies at the heart of self-confidence. If students know how to do something, they will be more confident in their abilities.
Teach them that effort and persistence pave the road to success.
One of the most difficult things for young people to learn is that it’s OK to fail, as long as they can get back up and try again.
Find out what your child is good at, and encourage it. Success breeds self-confidence.
In school, children are required to take every subject, even those that are not their strengths. Those courses can cause frustration. Few humans of any age can be good at everything.
So be sure to focus your encouragement on the things your children do well, and don’t dwell too much on the areas where they might fall short, as long as you know they are working hard to master their challenges.
Show them that you believe they are successful. Knowing that YOU have confidence in them will help their own self-confidence.
