A post from Valerie Elliott Shepherd on a way to encourage children to try different foods caught my attention. It’s also a way to develop courage and a sense of adventure in children.

Valerie suggested that when a little child refuses to eat something to say nothing and certainly not to say, “Oh, you don’t like that.” Those words can influence them to never try it again. Instead, let it go and reintroduce the food a few months later as something new to try. Then it’s a new adventure being offered to the child.

Our words have power and that includes influencing our children in fear or courage. When they get back up from a fall applaud your child for persistence. When they persist and conquer a skill such as riding a bike celebrate the success and remind them it came after failure.

When we let them face something new as a challenge and great experience we build up courage. My daughter helped her oldest son overcome fear of roller coasters by telling them they were a thrill and that thrill meant scary but great fun. My youngest son overcame fear of roller coasters with a programmable virtual coaster. You could set it to a straight course and add curves and twirls and change the speed and then get into a capsule and ride the course you created. He added one element at a time and realized he could do it!

I also inspired one son to perform in a school show by asking if he wanted to be brave. He nodded and I stated that one of the biggest fears of people is speaking in public. I said we could make a prop for him to hold with the words to say on the back side. Then he’d have a reminder plus people would watch the prop if he used it and made motions with it instead of watching him. He did it and never felt afraid to speak although he discovered he loves props, especially PPTs.

Our words and little encouragements hold great influence.Change a fear to a challenge and inspire a child to be an over comer!

Blessings,
Karen