Explore new and exciting things!
Understanding and accepting new things is an important part of your child’s development. Your child is interacting with new friends, new teachers, and new challenges every day. Some of these experiences will feel overwhelming, and others will be a piece-of-cake. Encourage your child to explore new experiences!
Did you know…
that kids unintentionally lump things and people into categories? This is easier for them, but can lead to discrimination. Encourage them to play with kids who aren’t necessarily in their group!
By this age, your kid knows what they do and don’t like. They may love carrots and dislike the cold weather. It’s so much fun to watch your children develop their unique and quirky likes and dislikes…but don’t give up on encouraging your kids out of their comfort zones.
We all like things that are familiar, and may resist switching up our routines. Even though it’s normal to be hesitant about change, it’s important to encourage new experiences.
- Compromise! If your child is a picky eater and resistant to trying new foods, use a 3 bite “try-it” policy: 1 bite to taste it, 1 bite to thing about whether or not they like it, and 1 bite to confirm their decision. If, after 3 bites, your child really doesn’t like the food, they don’t need to “try it” again during that meal. Explore foods with new textures, flavors, and appearances; think foods like: curries, starfruit, hummus, kimchi, or plantains.
- Encourage your child to try new activities at school. If your child is too nervous to join the soccer team or participate in the school play, ask them if they would like to practice kicking the ball with you or invite a friend to join the play with them. Practicing in a comfortable environment and with comfortable people can help build skills and confidence for joining new things later.
Some fear and hesitation is normal when facing new challenges and experiences.
It’s okay (and important!) to let your child struggle with some stress and uncertainty. Learning how to navigate new experiences – even those that cause anxiety – helps children learn coping skills and develop resilience and confidence.
Talk to our child when they seem confused or concerned about new experiences.
- When unexpected events arise, help your child examine ways that an unexpected surprise can be a good thing.
- If your child becomes too anxious or stressed a bout a new activity, take a break. Let them take a few minutes to talk about their feelings, get some support, and then get back into their activity. Don’t let your kids walk away altogether – avoiding new and unfamiliar experiences can be a slippery-slope. Instead, help them manage their feelings and uncertainty and then “get back to business.”
The world is a wild and wonderful place! Learning about new people, places, and things can be exciting!
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- Bring your child to events celebrating other cultures. Be respectful and curious about different peoples’ traditions.
- Talk with your kids about religious and spiritual traditions. Point out different religious buildings and symbols that you may see – churches, synagogues, and mosques, head scarves, religious jewelry, or culturally significant makeup or body art.
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- Let them explore their friends’ different traditions and encourage them to share their own.
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- Learn together! If you don’t know a lot about other cultures, go to the library! Google it! Ask friends and family to help answer questions that your child (or you!) may have.
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- When choosing TV shows, movies, and books, seek out things that show positive depictions of diversity. Be sure to point out inaccuracies or stereotypes when the media depicts diverse individuals as “bad.”
Something to try…
When facing a really unfamiliar or new experience, like a first sleepover or starting a new school, pay attention to your child’s reactions and talk to them about their expectations. Communicate reassurance, but also confidence in their ability to handle things!