What Would You Ask a Child Development Expert? Part Five
Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.
-Abraham Lincoln
What Would You Ask a Child Development Expert?
In the first family survey that was sent out, we asked you to tell us what you would ask a child development expert if given the opportunity. We received some great (and challenging) questions that we want to share and help answer using the knowledge and expertise that we have here at UCCC. This is the fifth installment in this series. If you want to catch up on the last four posts, you can find them here, here, here, and here.
The question we are tackling this month is…
How can I build character (confidence, empathy, compassion, self-esteem, morality, perseverance)?
Our insightful teachers and staff have shared some of their ideas to help answer this question.
- Support children to check on their peers when hurt (physically or emotionally). You can support by being close, modeling and offering words to use, or helping the child get what the hurt child needs.
- Lead by example. Model the character traits that you would like to see in your child. Children learn so much about our values and character by observing and imitating.
- Allow children opportunities to struggle and do for themselves. Give them opportunities to solve problems. Support them when they lose at a game and encourage them to finish.
- Allow children to make mistakes and support them in learning from the mistake.
- Support children to take care of pets or plants. Allow children opportunities to explore life and death in the natural environment.
- Praise efforts (You worked really hard to build that tower) instead of outcomes (Great job building the tower).
- Being part of a team or group can teach a lot about perseverance and confidence….even if you warm the bench. If you sign up, you stick it out for the whole year, but you don’t have to sign up again next year if you don’t want to.
- Set clear expectations for your child and be consistent.
- Provide a safe, secure, loving environment for your child.
Post by Jessica Sims