*
Our Daily Upheaval:
As adults, we’re navigating new territory each day with this Pandemic. But, come to think of it, it might be a great way to teach our children the ways to navigate the unknown. Wait, there’s more to teaching than homeschooling? It’s understandable to feel that way. But, here’s the bottom line. Whether or not our children learn anything from this, there’s one thing for sure they must take away.
Change and uncertainty, two of the biggest upheavals of anyone’s life are always lurking around the corner. And children are constantly learning from their circumstances and teaching us what they’re learning through their behaviors. But, even if a child thrives in school, playground and online, without skills like adaptability, resilience and emotional intelligence, no amount of “school readiness” can prepare them for what’s waiting for them in their college and career lives.
*
The Current Moral Conundrum:
Today’s children are exposed to an overload of information on how many ways life can be lived – both ONLINE and OFFLINE. They are being exposed to news that showcase controversies and conflicts and images and videos of unrealistic standards of living – be it porn or flashy celebrity lifestyles. They are increasingly becoming victims to online sex predators and harassment, and are seeing images and videos of aggressive and violent behaviors.
Especially, during this Pandemic, they’re watching how their Parents are reacting and responding to daily news. They’re observing how celebrities and companies are using their platforms to push their agenda.
When mainstream media shows children so many versions of how life can be lived, it’s difficult for them to understand their self-worth and the purpose of their own lives in the context of humanity. So, more than ever before, children of this digital generation need a direction to clarify and help interpret what a good and well lived life means.
*
Teach Them To Respect Themselves & Their Potential:
Encourage curiosity: Applaud your child’s curiosity and their drive to understand things and customs around them. Explain cultural contexts patiently.
Embrace their uniqueness: There’s a reason why diverse teams in Global companies are successful. Let your child explore her strengths.
Practice self compassion: Share tips on how to boost self confidence. “Smile. Dress well. Assume no one’s judging, because no one can really.” Give honest and a compassionate review of tasks your children have completed.
*
Ask Them How They Feel:
We must teach children when to talk, when its valuable to voice our opinions and when to give up on negotiations or persuasion. We must show them the value of building bridges of a positive network of people through our words.
If a verbal exchange in not acceptable in real life, the same rules apply while engaging with friends and strangers on the internet. Children can be taught to speak to fit the situation and the audience, and to reflect before responding and ask appropriate questions whenever in doubt.
Hurtful words of judgment and prejudice in the real world and the online world behind the walls of anonymity can be destructive. Words also be taken out of context on the internet where the intent of the person on the other end can be open to interpretation in a lot of different ways. Teach them about the power of the word and silence.
*

Molten Rock Is Called Magma
*
Help Them Understand Deliberate Practice:
In the age of instant downloads, meals and shipping, deliberate practice and delayed gratification are skills that can set our children up for success. Developing skills slowly and bite sized one day at a time can lead to big gains in the long run, known as Compound Effect.
Deliberate practice means investing more time on task. Here’s what Grit by Angela Duckworth says about it. The basic requirements that fulfill deliberate practice are quite unremarkable:
- A clearly defined stretch goal
- Full concentration and effort
- Immediate and informative feedback
- Repetition with reflection and refinement
“I learned that being a “promising beginner” is fun, but being an actual expert is infinitely more gratifying.”
*
Assist Them in Planning For Failure:
Once children understand failure is inevitable, its easy to help them prepare for it. Encourage them to have back up plans for all the possible things that can go wrong. “Set expectations, take stock of all possible outcomes, reassess your goals and try your best.”
Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, but he also filed some 2300 other patents in his lifetime, majority of which remained obscure and unimpressive inventions. Bottom line, encourage children to be free of judgment – of what they should be doing and where they should be on that path to their goals inspite of obstacles. “Keep moving without applying the brakes of self doubt.”
*
10 Things That Require Zero Talent:

10 Things That Require Zero Talent
*
Give Them The Gift of Journaling:
Journal keeping is the prerequisite for learned optimism. It is where we can make notes while listening to and reading countless hours of Martin Seligman after a personal tragedy. Here’s how he says we get into victim mode after a crisis.
We PERSONALIZE it, even though we are not necessarily to blame for it.
It’s PERVASIVE in all areas of our life, and we can’t not think of it all the time.
And we feel it’s PERMANENT, although nothing in life really is.
*
Encourage Them To Create And Make:
TVs are inert objects, they don’t give us a response to our stimulation. But a personal device like an iPad or an iPhone makes our relationship interactive. It makes us feel like we’re in control.
When we send out messages, write on our walls and post pictures with filters, we live in anticipation because of the promise of a response. And, that’s our stimuli. The reward circuits in our brain is programmed to thrive on that stimuli, which gives us a shot of dopamine (the feel good hormone) high whenever we see a notification, an alert or a beeping red light. All these are reasons why we’re so addicted to our digital devices.
Children can be taught how they can be life long learners and creators to feel empowered.
*
Empower Them To Problem Solve:
Ask children to start thinking of themselves as problem solvers. Isn’t that an empowering thought? Now, ask them to internalize this. “I’m down for anything. That’s just easy instead of fighting everything.” When faced with an adversity, challenge or catastrophic situation, teach them to think of what can be done now instead of what could have been.
A problem solving mindset is a teachable skill. See, here’s how. A cynic can change a fine situation into an insurmountable problem, that is his unique gift. As Stephen Hawking said, “However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up.”
*
Predictors of Success:
Of the top three skills that colleges expect to see, we must begin by inculcating Self-Management and Self-Regulation in our children. The ability to perceive our own emotional state and delay gratification are predictors of success in life, simply because,
1. Our inner state dictates our outward behavior.
2. Self-Regulation puts a pause between the stimulus and response.
3. Self-Regulation is top predictor of life success because children who can manage their own behaviors can learn to adapt and navigate challenges with resilience, determination and compassion.
*
Conclusion:
In the end, its upon us as parents to give them the tools to preserve their daily sense of wellbeing.
No time is ever time wasted. It’s all an investment in our learning and growth if we make it out to be. We can choose our daily experiences to be a classroom or a coffin for our growth. PhDs and all academic accolades are great, but nothing can replace the lessons life can teach us. And, oh yes, there’s a part two coming up soon!
Ready to start? Start here to learn about Soft Skills.
And read here to learn about how Hard Skills and Soft Skills make our complete Human Potential.
* * *
About The Article Author:
Our mission with FutureSTRONG Academy – to grow children who respect themselves, their time and their capabilities in a world where distractions are just a click or a swipe away.
I see myself as an advocate for bringing social, emotional and character development to families, schools and communities. I never want to let this idea out of my sight – Our children are not just GPAs. I’m a Writer and a Certified Master Coach in NLP and CBT. Until 2017, I was also a Big Data Scientist. In December of 2044, I hope to win the Nobel. Namasté.
Write to me or call me. Tell me what support from me looks like.
Rachana Nadella-Somayajula,
Program Director & Essential Life Skills Coach for Kids and Busy Parents
Check Out Our Featured Articles!
Teaching A Machine How To Think Is A Remarkable Skill. It’s Called Coding.
* What is CODING? • Code is the language of technology.• Code is what runs apps.• Code is what sent the Curiosity Rover to Mars.• Code is what's inside drones that sprayed Disinfectant on streets that were too dangerous for humans to walk around during Covid....
Essential Life Skills To Help Gen Z And The Alpha Generation Succeed
* As parents, we’re constantly fretting over which after school programs are best for our children, and what the right activities are for their interests. Should they engage in academic or social enrichment? Do we have them complete math worksheets or spend...
Teens, Technology And Life Skills To Thrive – A Handbook For Sustainability
* Teens, Tech and Life Skills: These days, little girls and boys are acting as therapists and counselors for their friends who’re struggling to navigate school. Teens are experiencing anxiety and panic attacks at an alarming rate. The American College Health...
Generation Z, Those Born Between 1995 & 2015, Has Entered The Workforce. Are They Ready For It?
* Times Are A Changing: This is what we were hearing from companies in 2019 about their top 5 soft skills they needed the most. 1. Creativity2. Persuasion3. Collaboration4. Adaptability5. Time ManagementSource: LinkedIn, 2019 Times have changed post...
There Are Two Reasons Why Children And Teens Misbehave. Find Out Now.
* The Underlying Reasons: There are two primary reasons why children misbehave. 1. They want attention. They want to feel recognized and their existence valid. If they are not getting enough nurture or care from their care givers, they don't understand why they...
Restoring Proper Neurological Functions Amid The Rise Of Developmental Delays And Neurodevelopmental And Behavioral Issues
* The Rise Of The Anxiety And Aggression: In a recent workshop that I attended, Dr. Erica Basso of Precision Chiropractic, covered some very important topics regarding neurodevelopment and challenges such as ADHD, autism, sensory processing disorder, anxiety...
In Scratch, You Can Do Anything! Words Of An 8 Year Old About The Coding Platform Scratch
* Why play games when you can create? Ask your children that before you introduce them to Scratch, a coding and animation platform, that can unleash their imagination and creativity! *Scratch Coding and Game Design: Grades 2 - 7Beginner, Advanced...
Students And Lifelong Learners, Here’s How To Learn And Not Forget It In The Long-term
* Crossing The Barrier Of Learning: Many children might enter the classroom with a variety of learning barriers. Some children come hungry, some after facing a tough morning with their bickering parents and some without any supporting resources or caring adults...
Teaching STEM In Fun Ways To Today’s Students – Tips For Teachers
* Teachers Need To Keep Pace: Kids today grow up with technology integrated into their lives. This can cause challenges for educators trying to make science, technology, engineering, and math exciting instead of something mundane. Today’s tips from...
Parenting Advice For Adult Children On Essential Life Skills To Survive Adulthood
* Yes, Adult Children Also Need Our Advice: My sons are adults. They are wonderful, smart, successful adults and I adore them. They have their own lives and thankfully still include us in their lives. I do wonder sometimes, however, how much we should still be...
Are You Struggling With Self Confidence? Become Authentic And Stop Being A People Pleaser.
* Just how far will you abandon your authenticity to gain approval of others? Approval or authenticity. Where do you draw the line? * We can train as much and as long as we want, but unless we test it in real life, we are not turning our learning...
The Complete Resource Therapy Guide For Mental, Spiritual, Psychological Wellness
For Your Spiritual, Mental And Psychological Wellness Here Are Free Resources For Children, Teens, Adults And Parents * Health And Wellness Disclaimer: The health and wellness information provided on this website is not intended or...
Questions, just ask!
Text or Call: 678.310.5025 | Email: info@futurestrongacademy.com
Bringing a Group? Email us for a special price!
Trackbacks/Pingbacks