Sometimes young people look for
the easy way out. They may want to take a class that does not challenge them,
or slide by with little effort.
It helps to have children
understand the importance of challenging themselves to their fullest. Encourage
them to take courses that are demanding — ones that get them to think and reach
a little further.
Subjects or projects that
require young people to push harder are well worth the extra effort. When they
find an extra resource within themselves, they feel comfortable trying new
challenges in the future.
By taking accelerated courses,
your children might end up finding their life’s passion. The hard work will
often pay off in experiences that they otherwise might not have been able to
share.
The payoff might be as simple
as interacting with students they’ve never talked with before, getting hands-on
experience in a new area, meeting experts in a certain field, or writing
college-level research papers that will better prepare them for higher-level
academic challenges.
While children should be
allowed to focus on the present moment, help them understand that the future
will hold more opportunities for those with broader experiences.
Reaching beyond one’s grasp and
finding success is positive reinforcement. It is a good way to keep at bay the
fear that too often is associated with trying something new or difficult.
It’s been said that “You get
what you settle for.” Make sure your children set their own bars high and use
their skills and creativity to meet those higher standards.
