Teaching Children Persistence

By Bob Lancer
September 1st, 2011

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Parenting children

Help your child realize how patient persistence pays off

Teaching persistence is one of the most valuable life-lessons you can pass on as a parent. Children who learn about this great power early in life have a “ticket” to life-success.

There are many ways to impart this great lesson to children. But it is rarely learned by merely talking about it.

One aspect of persistence has to do with breaking down tasks into small, achievable steps for the child.

When your four year old struggles to tie her shoes, for instance, try to intervene BEFORE she becomes very frustrated. (Your timing is important because when a child is frustrated the child is really not teachable).

Then, help the child handle smaller steps. You might first have her hold her laces. Praise her for this. Then you might show her how to cross the laces. Praise her again for getting this. For learning, maintaining calm harmony between parent and children is essential.

Does your child become frustrated quickly?

How do you respond to his or her frustration?

Share your thoughts and questions about teaching persistence in this blog.

You can apply this “chunk-down” method to any task, including homework and school projects, to help your child realize how patient persistence pays off.

Here are two brief “mother poems” about imparting lessons from parent to children.

Parenting children for healthy child development

Help the child handle smaller steps

1.
“My love for you teaches you to love.
What I say is what you will speak of.
I know you learn from what I do
And so I strive to model the best for you.”

2.
“I want you to believe in YOU,
Because to learn and improve you MUST.
So I show appreciation for the best you can do.
And I’m careful not to criticize too much.”

Of course one of the best ways to teach persistence as a parent, for your children, is to model it in your ongoing effort to develop your parenting skills.

Receive your FREE Parenting Advice through this blog. Simply ask Bob Lancer your question and receive his Lancer’s Answer in this blog.

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