Encouraging Youth

Being a parent, we only want the best for our children.  Sometimes we need help and other methods of parenting because our way is not always the way that works best for our children.  Here at Triumph Youth Services we help the youth find and develop their own talents, abilities and positive decisions to help them grow into the great youth, that they have the potential to be.

 

Most parents expect their children to work hard, succeed and “make something of themselves.” We all want the best for our children. Some parents spend a lot of time trying to get their children to be more successful and productive. Their intentions may be good, but lecturing, badgering, threatening or begging children to work and succeed are methods that may provoke resistance, discouragement, or rebellion. When parents have overly high expectations for their children and focus only on excellence, they may be setting themselves and their children up for discouragement and failure.

We all have strengths and weaknesses, and most of us prefer to do things that show our strengths. We like challenge and competition when we can excel, but we will most likely decide not to try or compete if we feel we may not do as well as others.

Children need encouragement and recognition of their abilities and efforts. They need to feel they are valued and that their efforts are noticed and appreciated. Parents who make a point of noticing and telling their children when they are doing well, encourage their children to continue trying to improve.

Encouragement is the process of acknowledging and recognizing effort, improvement, contributions and accomplishments. It emphasizes the process – the effort and improvement, not just the product – the achievement or accomplishment. Encouragement helps build self confidence and self esteem.

It isn’t always easy to be encouraging, especially when people make mistakes and things go wrong. Learning to accept mistakes as learning experiences and learning to focus on positives takes time and practice.

Ways to give encouragement include:

  • Focus on strengths and assets
  • Recognize effort and improvement
  • Accept mistakes as learning experiences
  • Ask for participation in resolving problems
  • Show appreciation
  • Point out positives and alternative ways of viewing situations

 

http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Positive_Youth/