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Parenting 101: 9 Science-Backed Ways to Raise Successful Kids

Not all kids are equal in every way. Some are gifted with a high IQ and exceptional skills, while others strive hard to make it in this competitive world. But the good part is that one can become successful with the right guidance and support given at an early age. In most cases, parents play a vital role in giving a learning environment to their kids, which helps them thrive. They focus on developing the skills which maximize the mental, physical and social potential of their children. After thorough research, we’ve compiled a list of nine science-backed ways that help raise resilient and successful kids.

#1 Push them to Play to their Strengths

Every kid is born with some unique and advanced skills that nobody else has. They might be gifted in mathematics and have a hold over logical reasoning, or they could be great at making instant yet effective decisions. Or, your kid’s natural aptitude may be at par, and they don’t juggle much to score well without investing too much time into self-study. Whatever it is, the idea is to push them to chase their strengths and do their best to explore their maximum potential. They could create something exceptional with their natural talent.

#2 Show them the Connect Between Hard Work and Outcomes

In today’s life, where every other youngster is running behind shortcuts to making it big, parents should teach their kids the value of consistent hard work and perseverance. Teach them that nothing is simply given in life and that you have to figure out your own way to achieve your goals. The majority of parents do this by setting an example of their own life where they started from scratch and today have built a successful career to provide everything for their kids. And that does impact a child’s development.

#3 Encourage Self-confidence

A self-confident kid can easily manage life challenges than a kid with low self-esteem. Thus, helping your kids build confidence from early childhood can have a positive impact on their later life. It allows them to hunt for new opportunities and prevents them from quitting after facing setbacks. Instead of criticizing them for their failures, find ways to instill the feeling of self-confidence every time they take up a new task. It makes them believe that they are bound to do something good and big no matter how many obstacles might come their way.

#4 Motivate them to Excel in Academic Career

Kids sometimes need that external push to reach their maximum potential and know their actual worth. Thus, parents should find small yet thoughtful ways to motivate their kids. You can start small by decorating their workstation or study room with frames with inspirational quotes written on them. Or gift them a fake transcripts to fill in the details of their dream college or university they plan to attend in the future. These small acts will remind them of their goals and ambitions every day and encourage them to work towards them.

#5 Be Patient; Listen to Them

One of the common mistakes parents make is imposing their thoughts and perspectives on their kids. Instead of keeping the communication two-way, they try to say it all, expecting that they want the best for them. But that’s the wrong approach, experts advise. In order for your kid to be open and honest with you, you need to listen to them carefully and acknowledge their opinion. Respect it. Value it. There might be chances that what they’re saying is impractical or not the best, but parents must be patient enough to walk them through the journey and help them realize their best. This will also make your kid feel heard and appreciated for their thoughts and feelings.

#6 Encourage them for Competition and Improvement

Most of the success stories you hear today were born in a competitive environment. Being competitive from childhood and that too in small activities like debate competitions or board games expose them to stress and fear, which helps them grow later in life. So, focus on how you can encourage your little one to feel confident in competitive spaces in order to improve their skills. That being said, don’t restrict them to keep their focus only on scores or marks. Rather, teach them that extraordinary and exceptional things can also be achieved without scoring the highest marks in school time.

#7 Teach them Decision Making

Developing decision-making skills at a young age is imperative for the child’s mental development in later life. Tell them how one decision can impact their whole life. Making sound and safe decisions requires practice, which majorly comes from experience. Since parents have that experience, they should utilize it to empower their children.

#8 Help them Master Emotional Regulation

Emotional regulation is the concept of exerting control over one’s emotional state. It might involve rethinking a situation to tackle anxiety and stress, finding ways to change one’s negative outlook toward a person or situation, or focusing on reasons to stay optimistic. Children should be taught how to control their emotions in order to prevent themselves from making uninformed decisions. And again, this is something that comes with practice. So, whenever you feel they’re stuck emotionally, remind them to channel their emotions and decide what’s best for them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#9 Stay by their Side

 

Lastly, always stay by their side. In today’s competitive world, where everyone is striving hard to reach the top, your child may sometimes feel demotivated. Although you should have high expectations from them, be sure not to let those expectations convert into pressure they can’t handle. Let them know you’re always there to support them. Regardless of what they do, they’ll always have their parents cheering them on from the sidelines. This can motivate your child to push their limits and actually do something worthwhile to make you feel proud.

 

Let’s take a Recap

 

The bottom line is parenting plays a major role in a child’s overall development. Adopting some scientific-proven approaches to raising a resilient and successful child can be one of the best jobs you can do as parents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeff Campbell