We all aspire to raise brave young people. We want our kids to be resilient, to speak up for themselves, to have the strength to resist peer pressure and the confidence to try new things. But bravery is often portrayed through television and movies as huge heroic acts performed in the glare of a spotlight.
Everyday courage looks very different. It is the child who notices that a classmate is lonely and invites them into the group. It is the adolescent who calls out putdowns and stands up for a peer. It is the student who has the courage to respectfully share a different perspective. It is the young person who chooses to stand out from the crowd when they don’t agree. It is the child who engages in acts of kindness and generosity. It is the teenager who advocates for themselves and others. It is the child who takes a risk and tries something new.
Parents and teachers can be instrumental in developing courage in our children. We do this by not rescuing our children when they make mistakes. Instead, we can encourage them to find a solution or a way to make things right. When we fix everything, we teach our children that they are not capable of functioning independently.
We also build courage by creating an environment where children can take risks and persevere to succeed. If you know that a failure won’t be fatal, it’s easier to bravely try new things. When we praise effort, attitude and bravery, we build a sense of self-efficacy.
We also need to dispel the idea that you need to feel brave to be brave. We can choose to act bravely despite being afraid and anxious. Courage is a choice. We can encourage children and young people to find ways to manage fear such as taking deep breaths or repeating a positive mantra. Courage doesn’t exist in the absence of fear. Courage is our choice to push through fear.
We are raising young people to enter an uncertain, changing and complex world. Courage and confidence are not negotiable. Let’s remind our children that God calls us to be strong and courageous because he walks with us and gives us strength when we are afraid.
‘This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go’. Joshua 1:9
Mrs Debra Cooper
Principal
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