Kiddipedia

Kiddipedia

Those blissful early childhood and primary school years can seem like they will last forever. It’s a time when our kids are still largely dependent on us for most things and, just when you’ve got the hang of it, suddenly you are thinking about high school! How will they manage getting around on their own? Will they be confident looking after themselves in a variety of new ways and unfamiliar settings?

Those “endless” kiddo years have slipped away and now you’re focussed on preparing them to become confident, independent and sensible young adults. Yikes!

At Speak Up Studio, we don’t expect confidence to appear overnight. We know it takes time. So don’t panic! It’s a journey. When it comes to nurturing your child’s independence and growing sufficient social skills, it happens progressively, meaning you can’t rush to the destination. As your children grow older they will come to face new and different challenges that will also require new forms of confidence.

Life is busy

Between multiple after-school activities and busy social lives, kids are often left exhausted and whiny. It can be tempting to fall into the trap of doing everything for them, rather than teaching them the skills they need to take care of themselves. However, you’ll be doing them (and yourself!) a huge favour if you put the effort in now, to ensure your kids are set up with the necessary social skills to get them through their teenage years.

Track your child’s progress

Remember, we are not making perfect humans overnight, but we are making sure that our kids are given plenty of opportunities to make progress with their confidence and, with their ability to communicate in new and unfamiliar situations. In order for their confidence to grow, it’s important to regularly push them out of their comfort zones and, as parents, it can help to be mindful of little milestones our kids can achieve as they grow up.

So what milestone’s can you expect your child to achieve? Child psychologist Kimberley O’brien suggests, “Between the ages of seven and eight, start to introduce the idea of kids picking up the change, or running into the shops to grab a loaf of bread.”

We have compiled a few tasks below that you can expect your kids to accomplish as their independence grows. These will, of course, vary from family to family, and even child to child.  You will need to take into consideration where you live, proximity to school, shops and friends and, ultimately, what is safe and appropriate for your child.

 

Challenge your primary school aged kids with these confidence building activities!

  • Restaurants or Cafes Encourage them to order their own food. See if they can communicate any amendments they wish to make on their menu item.
  • Local Shops Try sending them into the shops on their own. You can always keep watch from a distance at first. They will need to ask for what they want, pay with actual “money” and collect the change before making their way back to you.
  • Phone Skills Have them call a friend’s parent, introduce themselves and ask to speak to that friend. With household landlines on the decline, this can become a forgotten skill.
  • Friends and Neighbours Send them next door to borrow or return something or to deliver some homemade treats. (Bonus points for doing something nice for your neighbour!)

As their confidence builds, push them out of their comfort zone a little more by trying things like:

  • Seeking assistance from a sales person.
  • Travelling to school on their own (even if it is only part way).
  • Asking a stranger for directions, or some other assistance (use your discretion with this one).
  • Attending an appointment on their own and speaking to the receptionist.

Getting started

It’s natural for children to be hesitant in new situations. You can help them get started by:

  • Practising conversation skills at home and at the dinner table.
  • Giving gentle reminders to use eye contact and a friendly smile.
  • You can give an example of a script to say and practice it together.
  • Demonstrate how to thank people for their help and how to be respectful and kind when interacting with others.
  • Reassure them that it’s ok if it feels hard, scary or uncomfortable the first time.
  • Make time to have a conversation with some other kids, you might enjoy it more than you think.

With today’s concerns about child safety, it can be easy to overprotect our kids and fall into the habit of doing things for them. If an adult is with them at all times, they can miss out on that progression in their ability to deal with the world and unexpected events. Speak openly with them, talk about risks and unplanned outcomes and how to deal with them. It can help everyone feel more comfortable. But, by giving them the space to learn how to problem solve in the moment, you are also arming them with the skills they need to keep themselves safe when you’re not there, and that’s one of the most valuable life lessons you can give them.

 

About Cathy Clur

From a small office space in her parents home to a two storey converted warehouse, Cathy Clur has built the largest Speech and Drama school in Brisbane from the ground up.

Cathy brought to Speak Up Studio a broad range of experience in the creative arts, including speech and drama, singing, ballet, and film and television, to create a drama school that helps children build their confidence, improve their communication skills, and unleash their creativity.

She is passionate about helping children reach their full potential and has first hand experience of the benefits speech and drama education has to offer. Cathy has a talent for bringing lessons to life and is incredibly creative when it comes to selecting pieces and activities that help children engage with their voice, and with literature.

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