Build Character: Help Your Kids Discuss Outside the Box
Parents and Teachers, are your kids afraid of taking risks? Are
you afraid your kids won't develop their talents? Do they hide
inside the Invisible Box?
Let's learn a fun way to help your kids risk wisely, develop
their talents, and stay out of the Invisible Box. In the last
newsletter I described the Invisible Box. Let me refresh your
memory.
My toastmaster friend, Mike, presented a contest talk entitled
"The Invisible Box." With his arms extended, he drew an
imaginary box about 7' high and 3' wide. Next he stepped inside
and shut its invisible door. Mike said that too many people live
inside their invisible boxes. How does this apply to your kids?
.The invisible box is the place where they nurse their hurts and
grudges.
.The invisible box is the place where their
negative attitudes fester.
.The invisible box is the place
where they make multiple excuses and hide.
Years ago I came across a super technique. I taught it to my
granddaughters, Paula, age 7 and Daniela, age 5. It is called
the Thomas Alva Edison Award. I told my granddaughters
that Mr. Edison tried to invent the light bulb over 1,000 times.
He didn't give up and he finally succeeded. Next, I showed my
granddaughters two small plastic trophies I had picked up from
the Dollar Store.
I told my granddaughters to share times when they worked hard
to achieve something. Then I promised to give them the Thomas
Alva Edison Award. That meant they could have a dime or ten
pennies in their trophy cup each time they tried something hard.
Paula, being older, wanted dimes. Daniela wanted pennies.
Even today we'll sit around the Sunday breakfast table. The
girls know I'm going to ask them, "Did you do anything deserving
of the Thomas Alva Edison Award?" They brighten up and
start talking. Let's see some goals each girl achieved.
Daniela:
Climbed a steep rock at the REI store and
reached the top.
Practiced until she could perform a
backward somersault.
Received 100 points from her teacher
for doing her schoolwork quietly.
Paula:
Learned to do a cartwheel with one hand.
Gave a speech in front of her class.
Figured out how to do a
magic trick.
See how easy it is? Over the past two years Paula and Daniela
have filled their trophies to the brim many times. We love our
breakfasts with the girls. So do their parents as they listen to
their daughter's feats. The girls love the attention from all of
us while they share their stories. It is truly a bonding
experience.
Consider using this technique with your children. They'll be
developing their talents, taking wise risks, and freeing
themselves from the Invisible Box. Isn't this a fun way to build
character?