Preparing your Child for Success
A mother recently asked me - Can you teach my child to be more responsible?
I replied, "Can you tell me the taste of an apple?
She replied, smiling with realization, "I can't tell you the taste - but I
can give you one to eat and you will know it!"
"Exactly - and it’s the same with confidence or responsibility, decision
making, problem solving, creativity, or self belief. One can't develop these
by telling the child".
She questioned, "But won't children automatically develop these?"
"They will, provided they get enough experiences where they use these. The
problem is that almost all parents wish that their child is socially smart,
is independent and takes initiative, has high self esteem and so on - but
not all of us consciously do anything about it. Wishing alone will not
develop these in your child?
The mother was truly concerned now, "True, wishing alone wouldn't, but what
can I do as a parent?"
"That is where at geniekids we believe that children should be given as
many experiences of these success characteristics and thinking skills. Here
are our five point guideline:
1. Give your child as much experience of these characteristics as
possible. Really there is no other way. No amount of lecturing, examples or
stories will make me develop these unless I experience them.
2. Build these into day to day activities – for example – let the child
prepare her own tiffin – makes the child responsible and independent (even
if that means she keeps only chocolates for her snacks … how long and how
much chocolates can she eat!)
3. Create special occasions for child to experience these success
characteristics – for example, let your four year old personally call all
her (and your) friends for her birthday. Maybe she will need more calls,
more of your time, may goof up at some place – but what better way to learn
people skills and communication skills.
4. Make your child set big goals. Extremely pertinent for children
above 8 years, big dreams ensure that child starts developing skills that
are required to fulfill the dream. And who knows where dream child’s dream
might land finally!
5. Keep setting examples – while this in itself may not result in
development of any success characteristics - it will at least give the right
message (for eg: Just because father is persevering need not mean the child
will turn out to be persevering).
There is one more way – that is Geniekids own year long weekend program
called SUCCESS SATURDAY.
Through projects that make children set big realistic goals, which directly
encourages them to use and develop a whole list of success skills and
thinking skills. A program that also exposes children to the exciting and
enjoyable world of learning by doing-reflecting-progressing.
This program, with children divided in various age groups from 3 to 13 years
starts on 5th July 08 and will continue every Saturday till 28 Feb 09.
The mother had one last query - "I have two children 4yrs and 10yrs - will
this program benefit both?
For the 4 year old it is a good early start. Through shorter projects they
embark on a journey of exploring and developing their own strengths.
For the 10 year old, the program offers amazing real life projects that
pulls out their leadership qualities and prepares them for the future. For
example in past years children have written and published a book, made a
puppet film, organized a 'Mela' on their own and so on. These projects are
fun and offer huge learning experiences.
To find out more details about the program check this link <http://geniekids.com/ss>
Do tell your friends and office colleagues about this intensive
developmental programs.
By Ratnesh & Aditi Mathur
For www.geniekids.com
If you need one to one guidance on anything related to your child(ren) - we offer the same through:
1) Email or chat or voice services like skype. This costs you Rs800/- - one time fee - and unlimited sessions/ emails related to your problems for a maximum period of six months.
2) If you are in
For further details on the same, including payment options - please email to info@geniekids.com with subject as "one-to-one"
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