How to Help Kids Be Better Than Mediocre
All parents want their children to succeed in life, but for some it becomes a driving force. You might know parents who constantly shuttle their children back and forth between dance lessons and tutoring sessions, continuousy encouraging their children's excellence. However, even if you don't have that kind of time, your kids don't have to be mediocre. According to the Gifted Resource Council, it's important to remind your kids that you don't expect them to be the best at everything, while regularly offering them opportunities to excel.
Instructions
Offer your child as many opportunities as possible to explore his interests. Ask about dance, music and art classes offered in your community and through your child's school. If he's interested in cooking, sign up for an afternoon class at a local gourmet grocery store. If there are no classes available in your area in the subject that interests him, look into online courses offered through gifted-and-talented programs. Encourage your child to participate in competitive sports if she's interested. If the team sports available to her at school don't interest her, look into local classes in horseback riding, fencing, martial arts or gymnastics. Children who participate in competitive sports have to push beyond mediocre to win. However, remember to keep your own desires in check and don't force competition on a child who is not naturally competitive. Encourage mindfulness practice. According to an article by meditation teacher Eden Kozlowski for "The Huffington Post," mindfulness exercises such as yoga and walking meditation help sharpen kids' focus and improve their attention spans. Yoga studios often offer kids'-only classes -- if your favorite studio doesn't, offer to help start one. Introduce your children to as many different kinds of people as possible, and travel to as many different places as possible, even if only in books. Talk to your children every day about what interests them. Ask them what they're thinking about and working on. If they're excited about something, ask them to teach you something about it. Ask them probing questions that make them think, and encourage them to look beyond the surfaces of things. By showing them that you're always thinking, questioning and reading, you model the kind of behavior you want to see. Previous:Parent Education Programs in Early Childhood Development Next:What Characterizes Boys' Behaviors During Middle Childhood?
