As parents, we can do a lot to make our children brave. Follow these tips.
No child is born a coward, nor brave. The reality is that fears appear as they grow and are inevitable. But as parents, we can do a lot to make our children brave and learn to face life calmly and firmly.
Martha Hadley, a developmental psychologist in New York, states that “being brave is a mixture of feeling safe to move beyond what is familiar and expected, and being aware that what you do will have consequences for both you and others.”
In other words, it means that being brave is not challenging the world, or being reckless in any situation. Rather, it is about learning to deal with situations, removing the shyness that closes down opportunities for experience, and being cautious.
Hadley gives a clear example: if a child wants to pet a dog, but is aware that there may be a danger of biting it, he will first ask its owner if it is safe to pet it. It is in this type of actions where true courage lies.
Tips to strengthen the bravery of your children:
Give them security: if your little one has trouble living new experiences, the worst thing is to press the first, second or third attempt. There are children who take things with more enthusiasm, but others do not. The best thing is to provide security and confidence so that little by little they operate.
It motivates your imagination: just as children fear the dark because they imagine that there are monsters or ghosts around them, use this factor in your favor: Charlotte Reznick, a clinical psychologist at UCLA, recommends that parents imagine children? brave color? to face the darkness, which will work as a shield against fear.
Support him in his tests: will he participate in a recital and is he nervous? Deep breathing is the best. Before any test, taking a deep breath helps release serotonin, a brain substance that will make you feel better.
It is also very important that you recognize his achievements, as each challenge that he conquers will help him to continue growing more and more.