When you look at every hero and heroine, whether real or fictional, you will find a few common denominators among them. Virtue, skill, and, most importantly, courage.
Courage drives people to challenge limitations, falsehoods, and wrongs, so they can become more than what they were. Even when you are not planning on raising a hero, courage is still an essential trait for a child to develop, not necessarily to combat the injustices that plague modern society, but to at least be willing to forgo comforts to achieve specific goals.
Five Ways To Teach Your Kids To Be Brave
A warrior on the battlefield who faces death and still marches onward, a musician or an athlete who can perform in front of thousands of people, a single boy who was able to cross a room to begin a conversation with a girl he finds pretty—where do they find the bravery to do these things? What exceptional quality do we want to instill in our kids that will make them brave when others cower? We will break that down into these five ways to help your kids be brave.
1. Show them what bravery looks like. If you want your kids to be brave, you must be brave. Let them witness you stepping out of your comfort zones. It is also vital for grown-ups to model how to be courageous and face challenges themselves. If we are brave and face uncomfortable situations, our children can learn to do the same. When your character is tested in front of your kids, show them the strength you possess to do the right thing. We are tested in many ways daily. Be your kids’ hero.
2. Challenge and praise them. Courage cannot be taught the same way we teach arithmetic or good manners. There must be a challenge to learn courage, and your child needs to overcome that challenge. We naturally want to protect our kids at all times. However, we also must challenge them regularly to do something and try new things they might fear. Some examples are trying fresh food, playing a sport, or speaking in front of the class. They give much love and praise when they step up and do these things. Build on their courageous attempts.
3. Implore culture and heritage. It is almost impossible to complete a brave act without reason for doing so. Our rich heritage and various cultures provide the foundation for what we believe. When we implore family pride in that manner, we invoke the origin of our people and nation. Teaching kids where they come from and their history gives them the platform they require to display courage.
4. Encourage them to reach out. Young kids are very accepting of almost anyone. Later, however, cliques will form, and social groups will stick to the same patterns. People who are “different” often wind up left out. Brave kids, who become the types of adults we desperately need, will rise above peer pressure. They will reach out to that child sitting alone in the lunchroom. Please encourage them to befriend the child on the outside looking in.
5. Build confidence and conviction. Build and nourish faith in your children. Help them know their core identity is not in their performance, what others say about them, or the sum of their possessions. Their identity should be found in the fact that they were crafted with love by the hands of the Creator. When they know that, they can walk in confidence. That confidence will feed their courage to be themselves and take relational risks. Grab a copy of the book entitled “nobody” IS “SOMEBODY” by Dr. Sandra C. Birchfield, an informative and exciting book recommended for primary and middle school children. The book tells the reader how an introverted child gains respect for his smartness and shows the courage to participate in the Spelling Bee.
Final Words
Courage demands security and pride. Knowing that “no matter how bad things can get, there will always be a support system” will help your child get back up. Be that support system.
Allow your child to venture out, try new things, and make mistakes without making them feel like you love them any less.
Alex Writes 