Nurturing Leadership:
Skills for Your Child to Achieve Future Successes
Starting a young school-aged child on a path to becoming a leader before hitting kindergarten might sound nearly impossible. Still, the research's constant theme (along with the anecdotal evidence in real-life leader stories) makes the need for early leadership obvious. Learning to lead when you’re younger helps lead to when you’re older, and parents set the tone for the first stage of early development.
By providing leadership development early in children’s lives, we support their ability to own their space with self-assurance, to problem-solve, communicate, and relate to others, to build prosocial habits, and to show good sense and well-reasoned judgment. A leader taps into this inner goodness, which all children share. Children who lead with confidence are more likely to meet challenges head-on, whether those challenges come from a teacher or their close friends. They’re also likely to flourish and be more readily embraced by peers, communities, and organizations they join because of the central leadership qualities of good character.
Such as teaching responsibility as children enter kindergarten through group activities that provide students with opportunities to lead, deciding (within some reasonable limits) larger and more minor issues so kids can learn how to make decisions, and assigning small tasks such as homework or jobs around the home so that they develop the ability to follow through on commitments. Modeling some of the traits that others look for in leaders, such as using problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to navigate life together, can be essential steps for parents to take. Praising for the effort rather than the outcome of something models the ‘growth mindset’ children need if they are to later take initiative and risk failing at times.
Teaching your child leadership is an investment in the long run; children who grow up with strong leadership skills are more likely to be academically and socially successful. They are often more responsible and ethically more assertive. They are likely to succeed in their jobs and often have strong personal networking skills and communication strategies because of their strong character. Above all else, we cannot predict, but more likely, they’ll carry on inspiring those around them when they’re grown and raise a child of their own.
To conclude, it is essential that we start to create leaders when they are young, as every child has the potential to be a good leader. In creating a leadership platform for any child from a tender age, the parent gifts his child with a stern foundation of life, confidence, and a good outlook on life, which will enable him or her to take on challenges that are put forth by life, and to achieve their desired accomplishments in life.
"Why follow when you can lead!"
Examples of ways to create young leaders through positive parenting/teaching!
1. Encourage teamwork and cooperation through group activities.
2. Allow kids to make decisions and take on responsibilities, whether at home or in school.
3. Find mentorship or guidance programs for older students or adults. (Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Scouting...)
4. Teach communication and public speaking skills.
5. Foster a sense of empathy and the importance of helping others. (So important!)
6. Offer leadership roles in classroom tasks, at home, or on projects.
7. Recognize and celebrate each child's unique strengths and qualities.
8. Encourage creativity and innovation in problem-solving.
