Children need encouragement from their parents and other key figures in their world. When presented with a problem or obstacle, a child can either rise to the challenge or shy away, avoiding the risk of failure. In contrast, in the child’s mind, adults appear to manage daunting tasks with little effort and with seemingly magical results. Therefore, it is all the more important that our children hear the message that they too are capable and competent.

Encouragement supports children in healthy risk taking. It leads them to problem solving and feeling self-assured. It is important however, to distinguish between encouragement and praise. Encouragement recognizes effort and focuses on the child’s potential. Praise on the other hand acknowledges accomplishments, the final product. If we dissect the word encouragement we come up with courage. This is what we give our children when we believe in them!