Children who do not have courage do not take risks and tend to give up without trying. They frequently avoid challenges. As children develop courage, they are more willing to try new things. They begin to believe they can succeed, and they feel hopeful. Children with courage believe they can handle difficult situations and changes.
Consider this:
A. Show your kids that it’s okay to make mistakes.
B. Point out their strengths. Example: if your child is drawing, tell them, “Look at all the colors you are using to make it interesting” or If your child picks up their clothes, “Wow, you picked up your clothes. I appreciate that.”
C. Highlight effort, not product. Example, “You are working really hard.”
D. Stress improvement. Example, “ You stayed up riding your bike today and yesterday you thought you couldn’t do that.”
E. Even if your children are avoiding new experiences and places, encourage them to try. If necessary, you can go with them for support.
F. As your children about things that interest them and listen and reflect back what you hear.
G. Three times a week, spend 10 minutes with each of your children doing activities they choose.
H. Avoid doing things for your children that they can do for themselves.
Activities:
Teach self-soothing techniques like taking deep breaths, blowing bubbles, rocking, stretching, and so forth.
Read the list of books below:
Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg
Bravery Soup by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Courage by Bernard Waber
Go Away, Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley
Howard B Wigglebottom Learns about Courage by Howard Binlow, Reverend Ana and Jeremy Norton
Noel the Coward by Robert Kraus
Sheila Rae, the Brave by Kevin Henkes
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
You’ve Got Dragons by Kathryn Cave and Nick Maland