Mental Health in Primary Schools
Teaching Kids to Be Brave: Explaining What Courage Is
As the Year 5 and 6 students are starting to face the reality of school camp, commencing in Term 2. We know for some students this can be a scary and daunting experience.
As a parent or carer, it is important that we allow our children the opportunity to be brave and courageous. Encouraging them to step out of their comfort zone not only encourages a sense of adventure, but it allows a child to build resilience, confidence and happiness in themselves and for those around them.
Please read the article on School TV on, ‘How to build courage in our kids?’ by Karen Young
How to Build Courage in Kids.
We all want to feel safe. It's so smooth and un-splintered and unlikely to scrape you or embarrass you or leave you with bruises. Sometimes, 'safe and certain' might be the perfect place for our kids to be, but so much growth and the things that will enrich them will happen when they let go of the handrail, even if just for seconds at a time. Here are some ways to nurture their brave:
Speak of their brave as though they're already there
Kids and teens step up to expectations or down to them.
Speak to the courage that is coming to life inside them, as though they are already there. 'I know how brave you are.' 'I love that you make hard decisions sometimes, even when it would be easier to do the other thing.' 'You might not feel brave, but I know what it means to you to be doing this. Trust me – you are one of the bravest people I know.'
Give permission for imperfection
Failure and rejection are often a sign that you've done something brave. Every experience gives new information and new wisdom that wouldn't have been there before. It's why only the brave ones get there in the end – they have the knowledge, wisdom, and experience that can often only be found when you land badly – sometimes more than once. Give them space for imperfection – it's a growth staple.
You won't always feel ready. That's why it's brave
Let them know that it's okay to hang on while they're getting comfortable – while they're working on a plan, fanning the brave spark inside them (and it's always inside them), but then there will be a time to let go. When this time comes, it won't always feel like readiness or certainty. That's what makes it brave. And a little bit magical.
Try something new
Encourage them to do activities that push them to the edges of their physical or emotional selves – drama, sport, music. Anything that will help to nurture the truth to life that they are strong, powerful, that they can cope, and that they are not as fragile as they might feel sometimes will help to nurture their brave hearts.
Be the example
Everything you do is gold in their eyes. Talk to them about the times you feel nervous, or the times you've said 'no' or 'yes', when everyone else was moving in the opposite direction. Talk to them about the times you've pushed through fear, exhaustion, sadness, anger, to do the thing that was right for you. Talk about your risky ideas, the times you thought differently, did differently, and the times you felt small but did something big. Let them feel that the brave in you, is in them too.
For more information on this article please https://stclaresofficer.catholic.schooltv.me/content/blog/teaching-kids-be-brave-explaining-what-courage
By Karen Young
Article from heysigmund.com
https://www.heysigmund.com/building-courage-in-kids/
Immediate Crisis Support in Australia:
1800RESPECT - https://www.1800respect.org.au/
Kids Helpline - https://kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/webchat-counselling
Liz Hunt
Mental Health in Primary School Leader