MIND WHAT YOU TELL YOUR KIDS PART
Can you remember your childhood days?
Can you remember any negative words from your teachers or relatives? What about inspiring words from teachers and parents? It is possible that those inspiring words contributed to who you are today.
You need to speak inspiring words that will shape the lives of your kids.
ENCOURAGING WORDS CAN IMPROVE THE EMOTIONAL STATE OF THE CHILD.
A wise king said, “A soft word turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” In other words, positive words affect can improve the mental well-being of a child while negative words can result in emotional stress.
In one of my books, “Science or Arts, which do I choose?”, I shared a story of a teacher that wanted to teach his students the impact of words. He spoke at length about the harm that results from using negative and destructive words.
One of his best students interrupted him. “Sir, I don't understand how words can hurt. A knife can hurt, a stick can pain but words are just sounds. I disagree with you when you say they are powerful.”
The teacher replied, “You are a very ignorant and stupid student. If you were not one, you would have understood what I taught.” The student was surprised and kept quiet but later stood up, eyes red, fists clenched and his whole body shivering. The teacher turned to him, “You seem disturbed.
Your temperament changed suddenly”
“You used harsh words on me. I only made an observation. I did not deserve such words” The teacher responded, “My words had such a powerful impact on you. It seems you and I agree that words can be so powerful.”
I do not encourage flattery or cajoling rather an encouraging and conducive atmosphere should be encouraged through positive words.
ENCOURAGING WORDS CAN SUPPORT A GROWTH MINDSET.
“Life and death are in the power of the tongue...” Proverbs 18: 21.
Encouraging words can create a growth mindset in your kids. They will get to know that there is room for improvement. Words like, “You can do it” will trigger “opportunities “in the mind of the child. If you imply that they cannot do it then they will quit trying. If you keep telling them, “Don’t you dare make a mistake”, they will be careful and follow a path that they are sure that mistakes will not be made. However, you can teach them that one can learn from mistakes by saying, “You can learn from this experience”.
ENCOURAGING WORDS CAN BUILD SELF-ESTEEM
Encouraging words can affect how your kids perceive themselves. Kids believe what their parents tell them. They will believe positive and negative words said about them. If they know that you believe in them, they will keep improving themselves to become better.
In the next write-up, I will continue with the impact of encouraging words on the child.