How to be more Confident - It all begins with Me

5^th September 2016

Imagine the joy of seeing your child walk confidently through life being able to handle any situation that life offers to them.

Parents and teachers are the main source of a child's self worth, and their first teachers.

Confidence skills can be taught from a young age and will remain with the child for life.

Here are a few tips on how to encourage your child to become more confident:

1) Encourage them to see their inner and outer strengths.

a) Outer strengths: For example praise them for dressing well, grooming well, showing a happy face etc. …

Use words and phrases that show the child that you appreciate what they have done.
For example:
"Mary I like the way you have co-ordinated your outfit today – all the colours match well"
"When you style your hair like that it really suits you and looks chic"

b) Inner strengths: name them and also reward good behaviour.

"Mary I love it when you share with others as it shows that you care"
"I love to hear the positive thoughts that you bring to the conversation"
"I admire the fact you are determined, focussed and take responsibility"

2) Ensure a child feels loved.
Hug them, hold their hand, write them notes and most importantly let them know they are loved.
It is wonderful to hear the words "I love you".
Include their name so that they know the love is for them.
For example;
"Ria, I love you."

3) Make their environment positive.
Each child should have a space of their own on which you can build a wall of appreciation for them. Include positive pictures, certificates, awards, and any good comments that you have received about the child. Use hand written comments and post them on the wall to keep it alive and exciting. If space is limited and your children all share one bedroom, then allocate a small space on the wall for each child. With the right mind-set and some creativity, any space can become magical for the child.

3 top tips that are easy to apply.

Knowing them is not enough – we must apply and take action.

Do let me know how your child feels once you have tried these out for 7 days …. Miracles will result.

Schooling for Success

SoulKids joins a whole nation in congratulating the success of Joseph Schooling!

We are proud and humbled by his extraordinary achievement at a young age of 21.

It is important to remember that it was the combined efforts of the parents and Joseph together, which have changed the history of Singapore forever!

What can we learn from this unforgettable moment?

www.soulkids.org

Here are some lessons to learn from his parents –

1. They saw his strengths early, and built on them.
2. They believed in his dreams and intentions.
3. They took the non-conventional path for raising their child, and bringing out his uniqueness rather than trying to fit him into the conditioned lifestyle of society.
4. They invested in bringing out the potential inside their son. They supported his talents and passion with time, energy effort and finances.
5. They did not seek approval from society or individuals, instead they followed the voice of their heart. They did what was best for their son.
6. They believed in his dreams and visions, and didn’t just seek safety and security for his future.
7. They went through personal hardships to support him, and often put their needs at second place.
8. They understood the importance of superior coaching and training, and connected him to the best coaches they could access.
9. Whenever he didn’t achieve the victory he wanted, they stayed positive and encouraged him to persevere and improve.
10. Even in great victory, they stayed humble and gentle. The parents are true champions too!

Some lessons to learn from Joseph Schooling –

1. Joseph was dedicated to his dream! He developed a strong focus on the goal he wanted to achieve.
2. He adopted positive role models and mentors.
3. Joseph learnt from the best coaches he could find!
4. He cultivated discipline to wake up at 5.30am every morning to start his training day.
5. He continued to stay focused through the years, and continued to peck at one tree like a wise       woodpecker. He did not get distracted from his goals.
6. Joseph continued to think positive and kept his mind space protected from all the negativity of the world. He always fed the positive voice in his mind. He ignored the negative people and the nay-sayers.
7. He strove to be the best he could be, and put daily actions towards making his vision a reality.
8. He was willing to do what it takes and kept a long tern vision in mind. His amazing new world record was clocked at 50.39 seconds, but it was the result of 15 years of hard work and training.
9. His focus was on being the best, fighting for what he deserved and never quitting without trying his best.
10. He surrounded himself with people who encouraged and supported him, and moved away from those who didn’t.

Joseph is a true CHAMPION, and by his life, he defines his message to the world:

C = Commitment to his vision.

H = Happy to do the hard work and pay the price for the prize.

A = Attitude makes a big difference.

M = Mindset must be positive.

P = Persevere and persist through the hard times.

I = Integrity is important.

O = Optimize your efforts.

N = Never give up!

Champions are not born, they are built!

Everyone wants to be victorious like Joseph; let us also be willing to work hard like him and put in the 15 years of persistence it took to create the 50.39 second victory!

Majulah Singapura !

Majulah Joseph!