Page 32 - Fourways Gardens September 2021

Today’s Child

RAISING

CHILdREN

fOR THE

UNKNOWN

fUTURE

B y n ico L een d a vies, d i R ec T o R of
Business d eve L o P men T , Life T a L k

We all want our children to be happy,

secure, fulfilled and able to cope with
what life throws at them. So, how do
we set that foundation?

omething that I have often Being aware of this in your daily interactions This helps develop collaboration skills
pondered is – how do you raise will be crucial to their development. If they and empathy – because they know what
children for the unknown, for a see you lose your temper easily, or shout at it takes, how to work independently,
Sworld that doesn’t exist yet, for people when things go wrong, or give up at and it teaches them the importance of
a life of constant and rapid change, of the first hurdle, or don’t appreciate things responsibility. It may also teach them
complexity? or people, or have a poor work ethic – so negotiation skills!
will they. Fact.
The key skills they would probably need are • Encourage curiosity. Free time used for
resilience and adaptability but, in addition, SUCCESSFUL PARENTING – WHAT THE self-exploration will create the space for
psychologists have identified several PROFESSIONALS SAY your child to cultivate creative thoughts
factors that may ensure success. We have Studies indicate that successful adults and actions. Verbally reward your child
nothing else to work with other than what had the following common grounding as for striving for new experiences and
current studies and theories predict, so this children, and some of these are surprisingly encourage them to turn curiosity into
is what the experts suggest. simple things: action

WE ARE OUR CHILDREN’S ROLE MODELS • Raise your children with a ‘can do’ versus • Teach social skills. A study conducted over
Parenting has a direct influence on a ‘can’t do’ attitude. This will encourage 20 years showed that socially competent
developing a child’s capabilities. We all them to become self-starters and action children who, without prompting could
know how important it is to spend time oriented. cooperate with their peers and were
with our children and that they learn how helpful towards others, had greater
to behave by observing the adults in their • Let your children do chores. If they don’t empathy and were better able to resolve
lives. It is irrefutable that you will have a do them, someone else has too. Chores problems on their own. They were more
major impact on how your children conduct reinforce that work needs to be done likely to complete a university degree and
themselves in adulthood. and, in so doing, each of us contributes. have a full-time job by the age of 25 than

Fourways Gardens • 30 • September 2021