Has your child ever faced a situation where no adults were available?.. When a quick decision was needed… would they be quick to take a step? Would they have what it takes to be assertive, especially in a group? Would they be fit as leaders? Most kids need guidance, practice, and time to attain crucial skills. Luckily, these simple steps are a great start to instilling the core skills of leadership within them.
1- Accepting differences
Accepting differences is simply understanding how we are alike and how we are different; while treating everyone with the same respect and understanding regardless of those differences. As our kids grow, they observe how their parents react to other people’s differences. Our attitudes towards cultural, behavioral, religious, and other differences have a great impact on shaping them.
Ask yourself these simple questions; how tolerant are you of the points of view of others? How patient and flexible are you in accommodating different customs, beliefs, and cultural traditions? How do you describe people who are different from you?
The answers define how your kids would react.
2- Communicating clearly
Good communication with your child helps them develop skills for communicating effectively with you as well as others. It teaches them how to deliver their thoughts and feelings clearly and thoroughly.
3- Disagreeing politely
Developmentally speaking, it’s good for our kids to learn to form their own opinions and to be able to express their thoughts and ideas clearly and confidently. However, it’s more important for them to understand that they must express themselves respectfully, especially when there is a conflict of opinions or disagreement.
4- Asking for help when needed
It’s natural for young kids to want to “do it themselves”, especially when they see adults performing the same tasks without needing help. Asking for help can seem to them as a sign of weakness, especially as they get older. When children learn to ask for help, they boost their problem-solving skills and become more efficient at communicating and expressing their needs.
5- Encouraging others and helping them
One of the most important ways to ensure that your kids are open to new experiences and discoveries is by encouraging them to be confident and teaching them to encourage others as well.
6- Complimenting others
Learning to give and take a compliment is an important emotional intelligence skill. It helps them have courtesy, empathy, and a better perception of their emotions better.
7- Listening attentively
Listening opens the door to tremendous opportunities for our kids to engage with the world, take in new ideas and information, and build intellect.
8- Following directions
Kids need to be able to follow instructions so that they can behave effectively across different environments.
9- Cooperating equally
Cooperation can seem a little more challenging to represent at times. However, we must teach our kids this important trait.
10- Resolving conflicts
Conflict is not supposed to be pleasant, but it doesn’t have to feel catastrophic. Teaching our kids to manage it healthily helps them navigate everything from little meaningless fights to considerable points, both now and as they grow up.
11- Sharing stuff
Sharing teaches children about compromise and fairness. It teaches them that if they give things, they may get some of what they want too. It also teaches them to be generous, less selfish, and that they also have to give back to others,
12- Focusing on the task
Most kids are easily distracted. As parents, it is our role to teach them how to stay focused. This is done with practice. When they get distracted, gently direct their focus back to the task at hand.
13- Taking turns
Taking turns is such an important social skill to master. We use it in everyday engagements such as; waiting in line at the store, playing games, at the bank, etc…
Our daily use of this skill makes it easier to comprehend and apply, and ultimately teaches them discipline and order.
14- Enjoying new adventures
Kids need to experience adventure as they play. During adventurous play, they are in charge, making decisions as they consider and define the levels of risk they want to take, physically, emotionally, and socially, all under the right amount of age-appropriate supervision.
That helps them grow aware of their safety and decisions.
15- Speaking in quiet voices
With firm yet gentle and consistent reminders, we can help our kids remember to use quieter voices, yet speak confidently.
16- Patience
Without patience, conversation, balancing, and turn-taking would be problematic. So, teaching our kids this skill is like granting them a gift that makes all the above a bit easier to do.
Life is all about the skills we learn along the way, delivering right, good, and healthy ones to our kids can make a great difference in their character, and perspectives, and in handling every situation gracefully and with comfort, Insha’Allah.
We truly hope this can make a difference. Together for a better tomorrow, Insha’Allah! <3
