We’ve all heard it before, children are our future. And in essence, that’s true. If kids aren’t motivated now, early in life, just imagine how they’ll be when they grow up. Doesn’t look too good for us, does it? On the other hand, the more motivated they are as children, the more outgoing and fulfilling their lives will be as adults. So how can you use personal development for kids to motivate them?
Here are a couple of ways to motivate your kids so they grow up to successfully take care of you when you’re old… oops, I mean, so they grow up to be successful contributors to society.
1) Let Them Know How Proud You Are
Doesn’t it feel good when someone gives you a compliment, or gives you a thumbs up for a job well done? Kids are no different. Children love to get positive feedback, especially from their parents. It will help them to establish positive self-esteem, and motivate them to repeat what they did to get the praise in the first place. So, be sure to give little Johnny, or Susie, praise for picking up their toys. Or when they bring their plate to the sink, after eating.
2) Reward Them
On the same note as giving them praise, rewarding them is another way to motivate a child. Haven’t you seen how fast kids perk up when you tell them they’ll get “ice cream” if they clean their room, or take out the garbage? A reward gives them an incentive, or goal to work towards.
The key is offering something that interests them. As an added twist negotiate a reward with them. This way they get to use their own thinking skills in negotiating an incentive with you.
By far the best way to motivate, and instill good personal development for kids is to lead by example. Whether we realize it or not, kids pick up a lot of the things they do from the adults closest to them. That would be you, the parent.
What you do, and say has a large impact on the self development of your child. If you’re always complaining about problems or stressing out about bills, guess what you’re kid will grow up doing? On the other hand, if you’re positive and are always focused on solutions, rather than problems, your kid will do the same.
And that’s the best reward you can pass on to your kids.