This section will cover how to nurture your child’s belief in their strengths and abilities (SQAs). Repeatedly highlighting their SQAs across different situations will help cement them as part of their Identity.
Your Child Needs Cheerleaders
Now that you’ve identified some initial SQAs, your child must truly believe in them. Spotlite each SQA at every opportunity – though be careful not to overdo it. A little reinforcement goes a long way.
Parents and teachers make an unbeatable combination.
While your praise matters most, getting others involved is hugely influential. Teachers, family, friends – anyone who interacts with your child can join the team.
When different people organically praise the same qualities, it proves them for your child. This joint positive support makes a massive impact.
Subtle Prompts From Different Sources
Think back to our jigsaw example in Thread 1. You might’ve said to your child, “Your focus is amazing! It helped us finish so fast.” Maybe over the next few days:
- You point out when focus helps him or her finish homework or chores.
- The teacher praises focus when reviewing an assignment.
- Grandma mentions how focused she or he was when reading together.
- A friend asks what’s helped him or her succeed lately. They’ll likely say “focus” if you’ve prepped this well.
After a week of subtle, coordinated praise across different situations, your child will start believing this SQA is part of who they are – their Identity. They’ll know it’ll help whenever focus is needed in the future.
Each word of praise is a brick. Stack enough of them together, and you’ve built a solid wall of belief in that SQA.
Small Squads Pack a Punch
We can’t all call on a large team, and just a couple of people reinforcing your work has a really big impact. Sign up coaches, teachers, or any other people in your child’s life.
All they need is a prompt to mention an SQA, they don’t have to be heavily involved in your work.
Case Study, Part 2: How John Ended his Struggle With Maths.
In Part 1, we saw how Amy helped spotlight some of John’s SQAs:- Determination, patience, composure, kindness and a fast learner. Now we’ll look at how she took this further to get John’s High IDQ journey started.
Sharing Is Caring
Amy shared these SQAs with John’s teacher, who gently highlighted them when she had the chance during the following week.
Soon, John started to believe in these qualities. He had never thought the Lego building reflected anything worthwhile within him. But now, he accepted the idea that he’d been determined and patient.
He felt proud and grown up about being thought of as composed with his little sister. And being a fast learner gave him new confidence when he faced a tough challenge.
John Begins His High IDQ Journey
John started to feel better about himself within a few weeks. And he was now ready to accept his mother’s suggestion that maybe he could apply these SQAs to his maths.
Rather than giving up on difficult practice problems, he started taking deep breaths and breaking them into steps. And he focused on his SQAs, believing they would help him. His next test score improved to a B+.
John’s growing self-awareness and belief in his abilities boosted his confidence and resilience. By nurturing his strengths, Amy had started him on the journey to a High IDQ.
You’ll know it’s time for Thread 3 when:
- You’ve spotlighted 2-3 SQAs for your child.
- They’ve heard praise for each across different settings.
- Your child believes in these SQAs and owns them as part of themselves.
And keep revealing SQAs in tandem with the other Threads. Slowly assemble that list!
Up Next: Thread 3, Turning Trials Into Triumphs
Does your child become easily discouraged when challenges arise? Help them reframe difficulties as opportunities to grow.
This practical guide reveals a powerful mindset shift – teaching kids to “use the difficulty” to build mental toughness and belief in themselves.
Arm your child with the resilience to tackle obstacles head-on. Equip them to draw on their inner compass when adversity strikes.
Click now and discover proven techniques to coach kids through their struggles to triumph.
Thread 3: Turning Trials Into Triumphs