How parents can build confidence in kids
In her book, “Mindset,” psychologist Carol Dweck discusses how parents can instill in their children a growth mindset, which encourages resilience and a positive attitude toward challenges and failures.
Instead of praising children for their intelligence, Dweck advises teaching them that applying solid effort toward a problem or challenge, and not giving up, holds power. These are the kids who grow up feeling capable and regard challenges as something not to fear or avoid, but to face head-on and work through.
Another way to foster confidence and emotional intelligence in a child is to replace a question like, “How was school today?” with open-ended and thought-provoking inquiries. These can encourage reflection and contemplation in children, not just on their day, but on their interpersonal relationships, willingness to try new things, and ability to problem-solve.
In this article from CNBC, therapist Amy Morin provides several of these questions, including “Who were you proud of today?” and “What’s something new you’d like to try?”. The conversations that follow can provide valuable insights for parents while helping to build empathy, optimism, and a positive self-image in their kids.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/09/stop-asking-how-was-school-today-to-rais...
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Slipstream
I liked Ms. Morin's article. If parents encouraged putting phones down and asked meaningful questions like these, we could create a new generation of thinkers, problem-solvers, and people who care about others, which we so desperately need.