Life SKILLZ – Courage
”Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.” – Mary Anne Radmacher
Children can learn what courage is through stories, role-playing, games, and discussion. The key to teaching children courage is your ability to clarify that everyone can have courage, not just people that are naturally strong and outgoing. All children can have courage if they understand what it really means to have courage and how to have courage when necessary.
The following information includes a few facts and tips regarding courage in children and ideas on ways to help them improve upon this character trait:
With children ages 3 and 4; they are typically shy or typically forward, but usually with both personality traits they do not yet know how to look other’s in the eye. Teach these children how to give strong handshakes and look people in the eye when they are speaking.
With children ages 5 and 6; they are beginning to look others in the eye, but don’t always have the courage to meet others. Teach these children how to properly introduce themselves to others.
With children ages 7 and 8; they are at the age where you must teach them how to have the courage to stand up for what is right, especially when their friends want them to do some thing that is wrong. At the same time, they must also have the courage to trust their friends when they need their friends help.
With children ages 10 and up; now is a great time to talk about how courage can mean making the harder decision. It can also mean being brave in the face of danger.
Children can have courage if they are properly prepared. By having discussions on courage along with activities on how to apply courage, your children will have a better understanding of what it takes to build this character trait. Keep in mind you also want to teach by your own example. Make sure that you point out the times when you have had courage so that they have a great role model to follow.