This Could Help Improve Kids’ Confidence

A recent study shows one way to boost kids' confidence is to allow and encourage them to venture further from home.

Take two minutes to read, explore, and reflect. By Wendy Rose Gould & Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief Top of Mind Researchers Say This Can Help Improve Kids' Confidence   We strive to help kids become the best versions of themselves: happy, passionate, caring, and confident. A nurturing and understanding approach can help with all the above, but what else can parental figures do to help, especially when it comes to fostering confidence?    According to a recent study published in Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, one way to boost kids' confidence is to allow and encourage them to venture further from home. (Still being mindful of safety, of course.) The study had 159 undergraduate students complete questionnaires about their childhood exploration experiences, navigational styles, and potentially associated anxiety.   The results determined that the further children traveled from home while errand running or exploring, the less anxious they were in their adult life when exploring new routes. The idea is that exploring your surroundings puts you in a problem-solving mindset and can help improve your sense of direction. This, in turn, can help foster an improved sense of confidence.       The takeaways from this study are that early learning experiences are important and can shape our cognitive and emotional development as we grow into adults."  — AMY NASAMRAN, PH.D  What This Means For You If you're a parent, consider ways you might be able to allow your child to explore more of their surroundings. Maybe that includes safely exploring the neighborhood, leading the way when walking to school with you, scouting a small list of groceries while you're shopping together, or meeting with friends.   Even in our adult lives, branching out more can be positive. Dabble in a new hobby, try a new restaurant or café, or explore another city on your own.    On the Bright Side Ways to Stay Positive This Week What's Inspiring Us Randonautica is a simple, straightforward app that sends you a random, nearby location for you to explore. The idea is that it takes you off your usual beaten path to see something new. If you're not feeling the app, simply exploring a new park, café, or city can trigger similar exploration! Products to Help You Feel Your Best For a heart-warming bedtime book, flip through Grace Byers' I Am Enough. The pages are filled with a lyrical ode to loving who you are and respecting others along with gorgeous art by Keturah A. Bobo. This Scavenger Hunt Game for kiddos encourages the whole family to get off their devices and outdoors. It has them seek out random items, pretend to be detectives, and helps develop skills like teamwork, leadership, and observation. It even comes with Walkie Talkies! Read These Next The Benefits of Being Open-Minded READ NOW Frequent Travel Can Make for a Happier Life READ NOW 7 Ways to Feel More Courageous READ NOW Spread the Light Share the newsletter with someone you know to make their day a little brighter. SHARE We're open to suggestions! If you have any feedback about this newsletter, let us know at feedback@verywell.com.     You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If someone forwarded you this email, you can subscribe here!   A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2021 Verywellmind.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy