Parents want to make sure their kids succeed in life, but how do they do that? According to research, these are some of the best ways to set your kids up for success.
- Don’t tell them they can be anything they want- Asurvey of 400 teenagersfinds they’re not interested in doing work that will need to be done in the future and want to be musicians, athletes, and video game designers instead. The thing is, these jobs only make up 1% of American occupations, so try to steer kids toward well-paying professions like healthcare that will need workers.
- Eat dinner as a family-Researchfinds that kids who eat with their families roughly five days a week have lower levels of substance abuse, teen pregnancy, obesity and depression, plus have higher GPAs, better vocabularies, and more self-esteem.
- Enforce no-screen time- The brains of little kids can be permanently altered when they spend too much time on tablets and smartphones.Researchershave found it can impact the development of focus and attention, vocabulary and social skills. TheAmerican Academy of Pediatricssuggests guidelines for screen time based on age and says the dinner table, the car, and bedrooms should be media-free zones.
- Encourage them to travel- Asurveyof more than 1,400 teachers says travel has all kinds of benefits for kids, including increased tolerance of other cultures and ethnicities, more intellectual curiosity, and better adaptability and sensitivity.
- Let them fail- It seems counterintuitive, but experts say it’s one of the best things parents can do. Clinical psychologistDr. Stephanie O’Learysays failure helps kids learn to cope, provides them with life experience, and that over time, kids who have dealt with defeat will build resilience and be more willing to try tough tasks because they’re not afraid to fail.
Source:Business Insider