According to the Search Institute's research, challenging growth means focusing "on the ways people seek to bring out the best in each other... challenging growth is most effective when the relationships is also built on a foundation of care and when young people are being challenged to get better in areas where they have goals they are working towards." In our class we drew attention to that last bit: "challenged to get better in areas where they have goals they are working towards." Oftentimes we can get distracted by perception, competition, or drivers for success that we can push our children towards our goals for them. Maybe we feel they should be reading already or potty trained already or sitting still already. Take some time to observe your child and see where they are directing their own learning. Perhaps you see your baby starting to point or rock, or maybe you see your child drawing a lot or playing make believe. Once you start to notice your child's interests, you will start to see how your child directs their own development. Only then can you start to find ways to challenge them appropriately. To learn more about challenging growth, look here and watch the short video. What Can YOU Do?In class, you created your "I Can" statements which are now hanging in the hallway. Feel free to walk by those and take a look for inspiration and ideas. The Search Institute's research promoted these actionable statements:
At HomeThe researchers at the Search Institute drew attention to what they call "The Challenge Zone." According to them, this is where "It's just hard enough where it's beyond what they can naturally, easily do but not so hard that it's beyond what's possible for them."
With your partner, talk about your child's self-initiated interests. Where do you see your child putting a lot of their time and effort? Now, where can you parent in within the challenge zone? How can you encourage them in a way that is developmentally appropriate while still being difficult?
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Emily BarstadMaster's in Family Education Archives
March 2020
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