Encouraging Others: Using Your Talent
If you work regularly with kids, helping them understand how using your talent is important is essential for positive youth development. If kids don’t recognize their unique talents, they can fall prey to the lies that tell them that their lives are meaningless or unimportant. Nothing can be further from the truth!
Encouraging Using Your Talent
There are many ways using your talent can help the world. If you’re working with kids to help them discover their talents, here are some ideas to explore.
- Identify the real talent: Often kids jump to a career concept rather than identify the true talent at hand. For example, a student may say she wants to become a nurse because she has a strong and deep desire to care for others. But her real talent may be compassion and empathy, rather than nursing skills. Such talents need positive youth development to foster their growth, and further guidance to identify and refine various career paths that are applicable.
- Offer encouragement: As part of positive youth development, offer encouragement. When you see a unique and special talent in a child, be sure to praise it honestly. Offer opportunities for kids to use their talents.
- Explore role models. Role models are an excellent way for kids to understand how using your talent can make the world a better place. It’s amazing how many people had a strong talent yet the odds were stacked against them. By using their talents wisely, they achieved the impossible. Such notable figures as Dr. George Washington Carver, for example, had such a strong talent for scientific inquiry that even though the times held racial barriers up to prevent him from becoming a scientist, he persevered. What other role models can you identify for positive youth development?
Encouraging Positive Youth Development
In today’s world, kids are bombarded night and day with negative messages and peer pressure encouraging them to give up and become cynical and jaded. They can give up too readily on their talents. They might ask, “How can my little efforts be worth anything?”
Just as each thread in the tapestry seems to be one tiny bit piece, together it forms a beautiful whole. Sometimes you can’t see the picture forming; it looks like a mess. Kids need to understand that their unique talents are like the individual threads on a tapestry. Even though they may not be able to see the positive effect they have, their thread contributes to the whole, bright tapestry and the big picture. Their contributions are important!
Position your child for a successful future with positive youth development tools from ThumbPeople.
With the gentle influence of positive and affirming words, ThumbPeople’s children’s books, motivational kid’s music, preschool curriculum and soaking music builds self worth with families, encourages using your talent to the fullest and nurtures the parent/child bond.
Positive Youth Development: Remember When . . .
As the great philosopher of our time (okay, it was Oprah) said, “When you know better you do better.” Though I don’t agree with all of what she says, I do like this. I think she’s onto something. Isn’t it true? Don’t you look back on some of the things you did in your life and wonder “what on earth was I thinking?” But now that we know better, we wouldn’t have big hair for love or money. I mean really how are we supposed to encourage a kids self esteem when they need a three-foot clearance to get to their locker?
Maybe it’s all part of positive youth development – to learn by doing only to realize you don’t really know what you’re doing. Kind of a hard knock school if ever there was one.
But in reality, we do hope that as we celebrate a few more birthdays, we’ll gain a little more wisdom. But wisdom doesn’t come in candles and frosting – it’s a God-given attribute we must earnestly seek. God’s Word tells us that if we lack wisdom all we have to do is ask for it and He’ll give it freely without judging us at all. (see James 1:5) To even know to ask for it means we have to know what we don’t know. Make sense? We need a little reunion with reality at times to be reminded that just because we’re older than our kids doesn’t mean we’ve acquired all of the wisdom there is to have.
People are quick to quip about teens that they think they know everything. The weary parent of teens nods repeatedly, eyes rolling all the while. Kids! Yet the truth of the matter is sometimes we parents think we know everything too – and the sad reality is that we’re both wrong. We make the mistake of assuming that our experience is enough of a curriculum for higher (Godly) learning –onward and upward to positive youth development. When we couldn’t be more wrong.
Can God use our life experiences for His glory in our testimony – absolutely. But this is only possible once we submit to the realization that apart from Him we can do nothing. His Word is the source of all wisdom and once we get some handle on that we’ll have earned the right to be heard by our resident teen and let the positive youth development begin!
Make good use of Christian resources for building Godly kids self esteem. ThumbPeople has created the Thumbuddy children’s book series, motivating kid’s music, empowering preschool curriculum and affirming soaking music that promotes positive youth development within kids and nurtures the parent-child bond. ThumbPeople’s simple, fun tools strengthen and empower families.
Kid Self Esteem and Creating Upbeat Energy
On a daily basis I am constantly reminded in one way or another — sometimes not so pleasantly! — that our kids need my attention in order to feel loved, accepted, and secure in themselves.
As our family has expanded to include four children, plus my step-daughter, I have had to become all the more creative in figuring out how to accomplish spending time with them and getting my own tasks done.
One of my favorite activities is reading to our kids, as it is something that seems to interest of all of them, regardless of age and ability, and allows me to give them all the attention they deserve (and seek) and can be used to reinforce positive kid self esteem, body image, and morals.
Today’s children are subjected to so many damaging societal pressures that we need to make a careful effort to construct experiences that support healthy attitudes and strong values. Children soak up and remember everything either consciously or subconsciously that occurs around them. That’s why it is so key to pick out books, music and other items that reinforce the concept of positive youth development and healthy kid self esteem.
It can be scary to think that the things we choose to expose our children to can be used to either build up their sense of self or destroy their growth in this area. God has trusted parents with the all important role of making sure that their kids are raised in a nurturing, loving environment, reinforced with positive experiences and role models.
Although being a parent in today’s world can be difficult due to constantly combating the negative things found in our culture, the flip side is that there are more positive youth development tools now than ever to help families create healthy home environments. Take advantage of the best Christian friendly books, music and educational tools out there and fill your home with constructive and upbeat messages!
Don’t trust your kid self esteem to the voice and influence of TV and the media. Surround your child with God-honoring truths and positive and affirming statements about who they are. ThumbPeople’s children’s books and music build kid self esteem while empowering kids to discover the unique miracle they were created to be.
ThumbPeople’s positive youth development tools encourage and strengthen families through the Thumbuddy children’s book series, motivational kid’s music, preschool curriculum and soaking music.
Helping Kids Understand Why Using Your Talent Is Important
Using your talent is important, not just for your own personal satisfaction and happiness, but in helping other people. If it weren’t for a teacher in my life, I might never have understood the impact using your talent has on others.
When I was in the 9th grade, I mentioned casually to my English teacher that I’d written novels. They weren’t good novels by any stretch of the imagination, yet for a 14 year old child to have actually completed what resembled a novel was indeed a noteworthy accomplishment.
One teacher in particular, Mrs. Gross, paid special attention to me. Although I yearned to make a big impact on the world, she showed me that using your talent – in this case, my writing talent – could mean anything from writing novels to writing articles that informed, entertained and clarified concepts for readers. Although I still enjoy writing fiction today, it’s nowhere near as powerful as my nonfiction writing. I write about health and spiritual development. If it wasn’t for her personal attention, I might never have kept on writing. Today, my writing helps many people every day.
Using your talent is necessary. If you’re involved in positive youth development, encouraging kids and teens to embrace, use and grow their talents is critical. Here are a few things you can do for positive youth development and to encourage using your talent among children and teens:
Note exceptional talents among children. Talent doesn’t have to be a tangible skill, such as a child good with mathematics or able to build a bird house. It can manifest as unusual empathy, an inquiring mind, a creative way of doing a task. Look for opportunities to note and encourage talent whenever possible through positive affirmations.
Expose children to new situations. Children never learn that they have musical talent unless they get an opportunity to test their talent. Make sure you encourage children to try new situations. Make trying new things as safe as possible by withholding criticism and judgment; let kids explore, play and make mistakes. Talents often manifest at very young ages.
- Share your personal experiences. As part of positive youth development, it helps kids if you share your own personal experiences with them – your successes as well as failures. Did you try out for the football team and not make the cut, only to discover you had a talent for baseball instead? Sharing stories helps kids and teens understand that you’ve gone through what they have. When they’re trying to understand how using your talent can make the world a better place, it helps to understand that the grownups in their life had a time of exploration and yes, failures too.
Positive youth development begins with encouraging the good. Encourage children to explore their unique talents and gifts. Using your talent to make the world a better place isn’t just in the realm of famous people like Gandi or Mother Teresa. We can all do it, one step at a time, one gift at a time.
Help your child discover their hidden treasure – their undiscovered gifts and talents. ThumbPeople has positive youth development tools that build confidence within children and empowers them in using your talent to the fullest.
Through the Thumbuddy children’s book series, motivating kid’s music, preschool curriculum and soaking music, ThumbPeople strengthens families to live out amazing lives and be their absolute best selves.
The Healing Power Of God’s Grace To Help Depressed Children
The power of words can take its toll on today’s youthful generations. What was once considered sarcastic and caustic in tone, is now considered daily banter and this leaves many people the brunt of many lingering jokes.
Sneers and snickers seem to be a required part of dejection among the unhappy child who has no choice but to endure and try to out run the hidden innuendoes and slapstick stings that developing so-called humor makes.
Concisely, living a life of hopelessness and degradation is anything but funny; in fact, any parent would call it out on the toxic venom it is, cruel and unnatural unnecessary punishment.
One way to ease childhood stress and help depressed children is to introduce God’s Word as a source of positive reaffirmation and continual appeasement of the wounded heart. The words from the Thrown of Grace are the healing power of His love that enables any wound to recover without scar or stain – the perfect means to help depressed children.
As hard as it is to dispel the lies negative words cause, God’s Word can help depressed children in a way that allows them to feel like they are an asset to the life they lead, regardless of how big or small the effort. Somehow, God’s Word punches through the hardened exterior that tries to placate the individual into accepting a fate far less than the great plan God has for each of us.
The adoration for God’s own is reflected within the messages of His Word and if the heart is willing to adhere to the truth that comes from the heart of purity, a parent will see the after glow of positive outcomes to help depressed children.
The child begins to posture themselves upright on the Word of God that allows them to believe in themselves, not with a false sense of security, but with a truth that they are bound to because it breeds honor and integrity.
Words have the power to hurt, but through God’s message of hope, words have the authority to promote emotional health and well-being that have lasting results that are a positive influence for all those whom a child encounters.
ThumbPeople offers family joyful and fun ways to counteract childhood stress and its negative effects. Through their Thumbuddy children’s books, uplifting kid’s music, preschooler activities and soaking music filled with words reflecting God’s great love for us, ThumbPeople brings encouragement and creates a positive environment for families.
Help Depressed Children Overcome Childhood Stress
An estimated 1 out of 10 children experience symptoms of depression for long enough periods of time to qualify as true depression and not just an unhappy child.
The rate of depression in children ages 1-6 is a low 1%; however, the rate for children ages 9-12 is 12%, which is an alarming number for such young children. Many things can cause depression and the pain is real and should not be ignored.
In order to help depressed children, we need to know what the symptoms and indicators of childhood depression are. The following is a list of warning signs of depression in children:
• Sudden changes in behavior
• Angry, aggressive behavior
• Increased risk taking
• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
• Lower self-esteem
• Giving away valued possessions
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• General loss of spunk and energy
• Changes in dress or appearance
When looking for ways to help depressed children and counteract childhood stress, the answer is almost always communication. Talk to your child, listen to your child, and have your child talk with a professional. Childhood stress and unhappiness is very real and should not be taken lightly.
I went through a rather dark time in my life during the first couple years of high school. Until 9th grade I had been a national ranked athlete and that sport along with the thrill of competition and success had become my identity. And then it was all taken away. After a long year of doctor’s appointments and medical tests, it was determined that I could no longer do anything that raised my heart rate. During this time in my life, I really struggled with depression. Not only did I need to find new friends and new activities, but I needed to find a new identity. It sounds dramatic as I write it now, but at the time, it was bigger than anything I could deal with. I definitely needed help in dealing with childhood stress as I had become a very unhappy child.
Often times, adults minimize childhood stress and what children are going through. They fail to recognize how big and scary and anxiety producing these issues are to an unhappy child. Parents cannot underestimate childhood stress and how easily it can make for an unhappy child.
Take the time to help depressed children by listening to and talking with them – showing them that they are important and valuable in your life. We owe it to our children to speak encouraging, hopeful words that will build their self-esteem and help them believe that they have worth and importance in this world.
Child development professionals agree that Thumbuddy children’s books and music are supportive tools to help depressed children, counteract childhood stress and positively influence the unhappy child.
Renown for their effectiveness in instilling self worth and value while nurturing the parent and child bond, Thumbuddy children’s books, positive preschool music, nurturing preschool activities and curriculum and soaking music that speaks the comforting and assuring words of Scripture are tools to consider to help depressed children.
Kids Self Esteem & Positive Youth Development
It’s just way too easy for parents to be so busy that they don’t have the time they’d like to spend with their kids. It happens to all of us. But positive youth development requires that we put in time with our children. They need that adult supervision and meaningful interaction to grow and develop good kids self esteem. Without it, kids self esteem flounders.
Positive youth development demands that you spend quality time with your kids. Being too busy for your kids or focusing on your own needs and wants only shows them that they are less important to you. In order for kids self esteem to be at its highest level, you have to devote some time to interacting with them. You can involve yourself by doing projects with them or playing with them. If your child is into sports, that is a good way to spend quality time. Even the mundane, simple tasks of the day can be transformed into quality time with your kids as long as you do them together and enjoy your child’s company and interact with them.
It is easy to be too harsh or critical with kids. They don’t have the experience that adults do and are bound to make plenty of mistakes. Being open with your kids and not criticizing too harshly is another step in positive youth development. Kids self esteem is very fragile and it doesn’t take much to crack it. Parents need to learn to be open-minded about many of their children’s decisions and actions. Everyone is different, even children, and their likes may not necessarily be the same as what their parents like. That is okay as long as their interests are healthy and positive in nature. As parents, we need to accept our kids for who they are, not what you want them to be.
One of the greatest joys in life is being with your children. If you spend rich, meaningful time with them, it is a reward that you will benefit from for the rest of your life.
Start now! ThumbPeople has created simple ways for you to create meaningful moments with your children. Their Thumbuddy children’s books, nurturing kid’s music, empowering preschool curriculum and affirming soaking music has been recommended by child development experts for it’s role in positive youth development and it’s ability to build kids self esteem.
Positive, Encouraging Words Help Depressed Children
I will never forget the day I started my new elementary school. I was in 4th grade, and I was very nervous. What I remember most from that day was the horrible outfit I wore, and the snickers I heard as I sat in my seat for the first time.
Evidently argyle was not popular at my new school. Not more than thirty minutes into the day, I ran to the bathroom and literally threw away my new argyle sweater vest. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” These words couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, words can crush a person’s soul and create a very unhappy child.
One of the best ways we can help depressed children is by remembering that our words are powerful and shouldn’t be casually tossed around.
There are many effective ways we can support and help depressed children, and they all begin with communication as well. Speaking to your child in encouraging, positive ways using upbeat, hopeful words will teach them to speak in such a way as well. And let’s face it, the words we use and they way we use them can have a profound affect on our own mood.
Think about someone in your life who is always complaining or consistently uses negative words. They aren’t much fun to be around are they? Make sure you are not that person to your child. Find topics that bring joy, and find ways to be encouraging through topics that don’t. Your words are an incredibly powerful tool to help depressed children.
Children are exposed to so many negative things, whether it is words, music, movies or games that cause fear and anxiety. We need to be intentional about surrounding our children with positive and loving words that counteract the negative messages coming at them at school, sports teams and life.
When my oldest son was having nightmares after reading a popular elementary aged mystery novel, we had to tell him, “no more.” I think he was embarrassed and felt silly that he couldn’t read them, but ultimately he was thankful we said no and put those nightmares to rest.
As adults, our minds can rationalize and downplay events from the day. A child’s mind, however, doesn’t have the resources to understand when things are pretend or when people are just being mean. It is our responsibility as their parents to protect our children from things that will cause childhood stress. Positive, supportive, encouraging words are the very best way to lift your child’s spirit, encourage an unhappy child and support and help depressed children.
Support and help depressed children by surrounding them with positive and uplifting words and messages. It sounds simplistic, but the words we are exposed to have a powerful effect on our emotional wellness – this is especially true with children and is important in helping the unhappy child and in counteracting childhood stress.
Thumbuddy books, Thumbuddy kid’s music, preschool activities and Thumbuddy curriculum and soaking music that reflects the hopeful and comforting words of Scripture are powerful tools to combat childhood stress and assure and help depressed children.
Communication Contributes To Positive Youth Development
Communicating with your child is one of the cornerstones to instilling kids self esteem. For kids to be healthy, they need to feel confident about who they are. Talking with them – having meaningful conversation and sharing with them on a daily basis contributes to positive youth development.
Kids self esteem is a buffer against the obstacles that life can throw. They need that self-esteem to be able to cope with the stress and pressure that everyone has to put up with. Kids with a high self-esteem will smile and laugh more. They are easier going, have a better outlook on life and are better able to handle conflicts.
An open communication between parents and their children is key to improving kids self esteem. Parents should use encouraging words and to try to empower them in a positive way, even (and especially!) when their children fail.
Always take the time to ask your kids about their day. By showing them that you are really interested in their lives, the lines of communication will remain open instead of slamming shut.
Another reason to talk to your kids is to give them an outlet for any questions or concerns they might have. Kids haven’t had the life experiences like an adult has had and when kids self esteem is low, they are full of doubts. They need constant reassurance and as a parent, it is your job to provide it. If you don’t have an answer (and many times you won’t) remind them that God always has the answer and that He loves them, cares about what they are going through and they can seek Him for help and guidance.
If you want your children to come to you as they get older, you need to show them that it is okay for them to talk to you about anything. Those lines of communication are needed for a healthy child. And if you talk with your kids on a regular basis, you’ll find out that they have things they can teach you, too!
Be intentional and create family bonding opportunities with positive, family friendly tools like ThumbPeople’s music, books and preschool curriculum. Their Thumbuddy children’s book series, kid’s music, preschool curriculum and soaking music has been recognized in building kids self esteem and are effective tools in positive youth development.
Building A Strong Foundation With Kid Self Esteem
Kid self esteem is fashioned by what the child hears about himself or herself each day. If they hear negative words, they will begin to believe they are worthless, but if the child hears positive words about how exceptional they are and how much God loves him or her, the child will build kid self esteem.
Words are very powerful and make a difference in how a child sees himself or herself. Words, such as “You are wonderful!” go a long way to motivate a child. Using words of encouragement each day is important for positive youth development.
Some creative ways to build kid self esteem is to play music CDs, which provide a positive message about the child. Music is a great way for children to memorize words and phrases. A song that declares the child is loved, important, and made in God’s image, will stay in that child’s heart all of his or her life. It is reminiscent of a water-well. The well must be pumped and full in order to draw from it. When the child needs to quench the thirst for love and encouragement, they draw from the full well. However, if the well is dry, or not pumped, the child has nothing to draw from and they become weak or defeated.
Reading positive books to children and allowing them to listen to encouraging songs on CDs, is like pumping the well full of fresh water. It keeps the water ready and available for the child when he or she needs it. We cannot protect our children every minute of the day, but we can equip them.
Another way to help your child build kid self esteem is to start reading to them when they are infants. Simple poetic words that tell the child how much they are loved and how important they are, will provide a sanctuary for the child. As they grow, provide fun positive books that continue to encourage the child.
ThumbPeople is a terrific resource for positive youth development tools for families to use that build kid self esteem. Every Thumbuddy book or song, is packed full of positive messages that build a foundation of kid self esteem to help your child stand strong through the ups and downs of life.
