Proactivity
Proactivity is key to lifelong success. From educational obtainment to career advancement, cultivating a child who seeks opportunities to learn and grow is an important task for all parents. According to the Character Lab, a group of scientists dedicated to learning how to promote positive traits in children, the development of proactivity can be influenced following these tips:
Model Proactive Behavior- Parents are the biggest influence on a young child’s life. Children don’t just learn from their parents, they mimic them. You can instill core values such as honesty, kindness, and even taking initiative by setting an example. So join a movement, champion a cause, be proactive yourself. Be the change you want to see in your child.
Celebrate Proactive Behaviors in your child- Be sure to applaud and praise your child when you observe proactive learning and exploring. Point out the behavior you have noticed and create a positive association between the action and your approval. Be careful not to reward these behaviors with things like candy or money, or your child will fail to value proactivity for the positive feeling and will instead value it because it provides material rewards.
Enable Proactivity- This last tip may be more difficult. Sometimes, it’s hard to enable your child’s proactive and sometimes stubborn spirit, in favor of getting things done faster or better, but allowing your child to practice being proactive, challenging the status quo in the safe confines of their home will help them become independent leader and thinkers in the outside world.