"You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true. You may have to work for it, however." --Richard Bach
5 Ways to Help Your Children Turn Their Dreams Into Reality
I love working with children. Unlike adults, their dreams have no ceiling. It's inspiring to listen to their goals and ideas. Children start dreaming at an early age. They think about their future career, their wealth, their education, and so on. And their dreams can be huge. As far as careers go, some will choose the typical police officer, fire fighter, or doctor. Others will choose Astronaut, Olympian, or President. If we're talking about wealth, some will aspire to simply "have money." Others will seek a business empire or the ability to retire at age 40 or younger. As parents, we have more control over whether our children achieve their dreams than we might think. For kids, parents are inspiration, motivation, and leadership. You might think that your child's dreams are unrealistic. That's the negative adult inside you. You should believe in your child because they believe in themselves; and you're probably the only other support they have. All that's left to discuss is the how: [more]
Reading Corner
Title: Amazing Grace
By: Mary Hoffman
Ages: 3+
"Inspiring children to achieve their full potential by believing that anything is possible. Promoting tolerance and acceptance and celebrating diversity. Boosting self-esteem and dealing with prejudice. Grace adores play acting and dressing up as her favorite fictional characters. So when her teacher announces her class are going to do the play of Peter Pan Grace immediately volunteers herself as Peter. Some of her classmates protest, telling her she can't be Peter Pan as he's a boy, and he's not black. This upsets Grace. But when her Ma and Nana hear about what the children have said, they explain to Grace that she can be anything she wants to be if she has determination. Nana takes Grace to the ballet, where the lead dancer is a beautiful black girl. Grace realizes her family was right: she can be anything she wants to be. At the school auditions, all the children vote for her and she is given the role of Peter Pan. The play is a great success and Grace gives a magical performance." - Little Parachutes (website)
By: Mary Hoffman
Ages: 3+
"Inspiring children to achieve their full potential by believing that anything is possible. Promoting tolerance and acceptance and celebrating diversity. Boosting self-esteem and dealing with prejudice. Grace adores play acting and dressing up as her favorite fictional characters. So when her teacher announces her class are going to do the play of Peter Pan Grace immediately volunteers herself as Peter. Some of her classmates protest, telling her she can't be Peter Pan as he's a boy, and he's not black. This upsets Grace. But when her Ma and Nana hear about what the children have said, they explain to Grace that she can be anything she wants to be if she has determination. Nana takes Grace to the ballet, where the lead dancer is a beautiful black girl. Grace realizes her family was right: she can be anything she wants to be. At the school auditions, all the children vote for her and she is given the role of Peter Pan. The play is a great success and Grace gives a magical performance." - Little Parachutes (website)
Recommended by Cubs Editors
Be the Change
Read this article called Paying It Forward as a Full-time Job with children (suggested ages young adults/teens) and ask them what they learned from Trevor's story. Ask them to think of one thing they didn't think they could do and how they might try to achieve this dream. (article suggested by Brinda Govindan)
