Are you tryÂing to help chilÂdren sucÂceed in your child care proÂgram or as a parÂent? In order to learn and develÂop, chilÂdren need opporÂtuÂniÂties to expeÂriÂence sucÂcess. This week’s blog comes from our Care Course Child DevelÂopÂment and GuidÂance and has inforÂmaÂtion that will help you help your chilÂdren succeed.
ChilÂdren feel sucÂcessÂful when they do things on their own, in their own way. ChilÂdren need the freeÂdom to meet chalÂlenges and sucÂceed on their own. This is essenÂtial for children’s learnÂing and develÂopÂment. HowÂevÂer, it is someÂtimes difÂfiÂcult for adults to allow chilÂdren the freeÂdom to sucÂceed on their own.
One way for children to experience success is through experimentation.
By defÂiÂnÂiÂtion, the process of experÂiÂmentÂing involves periÂods of frusÂtraÂtion and failÂure. An underÂstandÂing of the funcÂtion of frusÂtraÂtion and failÂure in children’s learnÂing process will help you give chilÂdren the freeÂdom they must have in order to learn and feel successful.
FrusÂtraÂtion and failÂure are not always negÂaÂtive expeÂriÂences. While too much frusÂtraÂtion can indeed be overÂwhelmÂing, some frusÂtraÂtion is essenÂtial on the pathÂway to sucÂcess. ExpeÂriÂences of failÂure are also essenÂtial before chilÂdren can expeÂriÂence the joy of sucÂcess. When facÂing a chalÂlenge or attemptÂing to solve a probÂlem, chilÂdren must first expeÂriÂence what does not work to help them figÂure out what does work. AllowÂing chilÂdren to experÂiÂment and keep on tryÂing on their own even if they don’t get it right the first time gives them the opporÂtuÂniÂty to feel a sense of triÂumph when they do sucÂceed. Their triÂumph shows in their eyes and their smiles. Such triÂumphs are the buildÂing blocks of posÂiÂtive self-esteem.
FailÂing to allow chilÂdren to experÂiÂment and keep on tryÂing on their own teachÂes chilÂdren to expect either (1) that they are not capaÂble of figÂurÂing things out on their own or (2) that makÂing the effort to do so is not important.
Your interÂacÂtions with chilÂdren teach chilÂdren either (1) to experÂiÂment, keep tryÂing even when they are frusÂtratÂed, and finalÂly sucÂceed, and thus build their self-esteem or (2) to expect that they canÂnot sucÂcessÂfulÂly comÂplete a task on their own, and thus erode their self-esteem.
ChilÂdren who feel that they are incaÂpable expect themÂselves to fail. This attiÂtude leads to feelÂings of self-doubt and low self-esteem. ChilÂdren who are not allowed to keep experÂiÂmentÂing on their own until they have disÂcovÂered what works will stop tryÂing to do things by themÂselves. They will lose their natÂurÂal curiosÂiÂty and perÂsisÂtence. They will learn to pasÂsiveÂly go along with the adult’s behavÂior rather than activeÂly seek to solve probÂlems on their own.
ChilÂdren do not meaÂsure sucÂcess in the same manÂner as adults. ChilÂdren are more interÂestÂed in the process than the prodÂuct. Successes—even the tiny ones that may seem insignifÂiÂcant from an adult point of view—are sigÂnifÂiÂcant to chilÂdren. Every sucÂcess motiÂvates the child to conÂtinÂue learnÂing and conÂtributes to the develÂopÂment of posÂiÂtive self-esteem.
ChilÂdren need many opporÂtuÂniÂties for sponÂtaÂneous, self-paced, child-conÂtrolled play. Play is the ideÂal way for young chilÂdren to learn. Read our blog on the benÂeÂfits of block play!
Take our course Child DevelÂopÂment and GuidÂance to learn more!
Let us know how we can be of addiÂtionÂal assisÂtance! Call us: 1–800-685‑7610, MonÂday through FriÂday, 9–5 ET, or email us days, evenings, and weekÂends: info@CareCourses.com. We’re here to help!
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