As parents, there's a lot we can do to help our kids build self-esteem, confidence and drive so they achieve goals beyond what anyone could imagine — simply teaching them that the sky's the limit is only the beginning. If you want to help your kids achieve greatness — and really, who wouldn't? — here are some ways to inspire them to do amazing things:
1. Start them young! Never think "they won't remember anyway." Expose your children to as many different experiences as you can — child-friendly theater performances, museum visits of all kinds, sporting events, travel (local trips or far-flung adventures), art classes and more. You never know what will spark their curiosity or imagination! Check local community listings for free or low-cost events to try first if you're not sure what your little one might like.
2. Don't limit their options. Even if your child seems to be a budding ballerina, musician or futbol all-star, specializing in only one activity or sport from a very young age isn't necessarily the best thing to do. Expose him or her to a variety of activities to avoid boredom and encourage exploration.
3. Be enthusiastic about what they truly love. Kids tend to gravitate to what captivates them the most, and even if you don't share their level of interest in a particular topic or activity, you can still get just as excited about it as they do. Showing them you are passionate about their interests is a wonderful way to help build confidence and inspire dedication, even in very young children.
4. Talk about your own childhood dreams. At dinner time, share the dreams you had as a child and why they were so important to you — no matter how seemingly far-fetched they seemed (or still seem!). Maybe you drew pictures of futuristic inventions, dreamed up elaborate recipes for fancy meals or performed three-act plays in the living room — complete with singing and dancing — because you wanted to be a Broadway star one day. These can be a great starting point for a conversation about your child's own amazing aspirations. Also, don't forget to share those times when things didn't go quite as planned and you had to overcome challenges to reach your goals.
5. Never, ever say it's impossible. Whatever he or she is determined to do, don't be a naysayer. Instead of saying it won't work, or telling them not to be disappointed if they don't succeed, discuss ways to make it happen. "Yes, you can!" is often just what they need to hear to keep motivation going strong.
6. Give them the right fuel each day. Perhaps the best way to help make kids' dreams come true is to make sure they get enough exercise, plenty of sleep and the nutrition a growing child needs each day. Nestle® NIDO® is specially formulated to provide toddlers and preschoolers with the nutrients they need for proper development, and it's so delicious they'll love it at any time of day. You'll love that it's helping give them a boost to go beyond their potential — a dream come true for parents.
Image via iStock
