Learning from Mistakes:

Help your child see mistakes as learning opportunities in disguise.  Here's how:

    Explain to your kids that mistakes are normal.  What's important is our attitude toward them!  You can show this by dealing with mistakes in a calm, matter-of-fact way yourself.

   Resist the urge to rush in and fix everything.  Homework forgotten at school?  Let it be.  What your child experiences by forgetting will probably teach him more than your "rescuing" him from his mistakes.

  Share what you've learned from making mistakes.  Example: "Once I forgot to order checks and couldn't pay the bills on time.  Now, I always order checks before I run out."

  Have them help-  When kids help out with chores regularly that help the family, they feel important.  Teach your children how to do age appropriate household tasks.

  Words - Your child is influenced by what you say and do.  If you are going to give them praise, be specific.  Example: "Thank you for picking up your clothes off of the floor.  Your room looks great!"  If your child's work falls short, treat her as though she is capable of doing better.  Instead of "That was sloppy work!" try "I'm surprised.  Your work is usually very neat."

  Challenges - It takes courage to do new things.  It also takes practice.  Help your child to get started or help them practice.  He'll gain confidence as he improves.

  Make connections - Point out the connection between your child's actions and the results that follow.  Example:  "Because you cleared the dinner table, we have time for another story."  He'll start to see that he has the power to make things happen- a definite boost to confidence.

-Ask your child to think of a school subject she wants to improve in. If it's important to her, she's more likely to try.

-Talk about ways to reach the goal, one step at a time.  Help her set up a schedule. 

- Point out your child's efforts along the way.

- Help your child imagine what it will feel like to reach her goal.