As parents, teaching our children to be strong and persistent in the face of adversity can be challenging. However, it is critical for children to learn to keep trying and not to give up when things become challenging or ‘too hard’.

This skill will guide them as they face different challenges in life. I had a recent discussion with my 12-year-old about the importance of having a positive mind-set. He was trying to problem solve when building a lego model that proved to be quite difficult. Using positive self-talk such as ‘I can do it’ or ‘I won’t give up’ helped my son to refocus. I often need to remind myself to model positive self-talk when I am faced with challenges, as I know my kids are always watching and listening.

The good news is that there are many things parents can do to teach their child persistence. Talking about perseverance and using positive language will help children maintain a positive frame of mind when situations become difficult. It is important for kids to know that it’s okay to make mistakes, as these are valuable learning experiences. Providing opportunities for children to succeed and following these with praise is important, however emphasising the fact that failure is ok is just as important. 

In the article, ‘The art of teaching perseverance to kids,’ Jim Stevens explains how to teach your child to keep trying even if they make mistakes.