When you hear the words “acts of courage,” you might picture the acts displayed by front-line medical personnel, aid workers, or emergency responders. But courage doesn’t have to be really so big always; even little kids can routinely practice it or discover it through at home learning.
And they do: It takes bravery to approach another kid on the playground. The same is true when learning a new veggie or how to ride a bike. It takes courage to jump into the water, even into a trusted adult’s arms.
As people in education and healthcare, we want kids to develop into self-assured people who aren’t afraid to take on challenging but worthwhile tasks. So, it’s crucial to give kids chances to develop courage.
Read on about how we foster courage in our programs and how you can do the same at home through learning.
Courage in the Classroom with Little Medical School of the Treasure Coast
Since courage is an abstract concept and children under the age of five are concrete thinkers, it is crucial to illustrate courage through examples, metaphors, pretend play, and at home learning.
Our instructors can see how a child is feeling and show them how to be brave if they notice that the child is having trouble summoning their courage while doing a task. For instance, in our Little Doctor School program we have a class where kids learn all about surgery. They “scrub in” and create suture models with the help of our instructors. In these classes, we use real surgical drivers and blunt needles to give the kids an immersive experience.
But some kids are immediately scared when they see the medical tools they will be using and state they do not want to participate.
Our instructors show step-by-step how to use all of the tools and demonstrate how to be safe so that kids may feel more encouraged and empowered to try something as new as sutures. We help children understand that fear is natural and can be overcome.
How Parents Can Build Courage Through At Home Learning
In order for children to feel confident enough to try new things and even fail — sometimes repeatedly — they need a strong, secure foundation from their families.
When children feel safe and comfortable, they can only learn at a better level. They learn boldness, fortitude, and trust that way.
At times of stress or terror, children rely on adults to help them self-regulate. This entails compassionately identifying the sensation, such as “I notice that you are feeling a little nervous, which makes sense because you’re trying something new,” and then gently encouraging the person by saying “I believe in you. Despite the difficulty, you can accomplish this. To make sure you’re secure, I’m here.”
Of course, forcing a child to do something is not a good idea if they reject it. The result is anxiety and mistrust. As tempting as it may be, try to avoid the impulse to shield your child from any unpleasant circumstances.
By addressing their own anxieties in an age-appropriate manner, parents can serve as role models for courage. For instance, a dad who is anxious about speaking in front of coworkers can talk to his kid about those thoughts. The father might then express to his child how brave he felt and why he is happy he gave the presentation.
Kids should understand that even their parents must exhibit courage and that they can encourage adults to do the same.
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