Seeing is believing… and dreaming bigger
“Alexa, play Shivers,” said my very confident 10 year old. I scoffed and started to say there was no way Alexa would know what she meant. But I was cut short when Ed Sheeran’s funky beat started playing.
After meekly apologizing to my daughter, I couldn’t shake my wonder that she’d even assumed such a vague voice command would work. Then it hit me. She sees it all the time! It’s no biggie for her to have stretched beliefs of what is possible.
Digital makes it easy to show kids instead of tell kids
If you know your Boss Ladies of the recent past, you’ve probably heard about Billie Jean King. She said, “if you can see it, you can be it.”
She knows what she is talking about – she’s achieved extraordinary feats. It’s very hard to be the first of anything. Let’s just take it from her that it helps to see others achieving.
Once someone does something we used to think was impossible, suddenly, many more people are able to do it. Why should you care?
This is not your grandparents parenting folks
It’s easier than ever to show kids how others are persevering. No need for eloquent long speeches. No need to travel to the furthest reaches of the earth to be amazed. You can be amazed right in your own room.
We’ve got some videos and podcasts we think will show kids the possibilities. Casually insert them into your kids’ digital repertoire. They do triple duty of entertaining, educating and inspiring.
Show kids videos of other kids working hard and achieving
- Kids cooking shows. They can show that anyone can gain skills beyond their typical years at something if they keep practicing. A good example is Masterchef Junior channel on youtube.
- Kids playing musical instruments. This is a classic of how if you can see it you can be it. It’s hard to learn an instrument and at times seems impossible – until you see that it isn’t. Kids got Talent will help your kiddo to see that it is possible.
- Kids starting a business. Often times it’s the grown-up who has to do most of the work when kids take on a project. This is an example of a couple of brothers and their cookie business who at least for the duration of this video, model how else it can be.
Listen to podcasts that share how other kids are changing the world
- Kids showing a Growth Mindset and resilience. There are a lot of stories of real-life role models who have overcome real challenges. The “Big life podcast” will remind kids that they are not too young to be heroes that are making a difference today.
- Kids sharing their expertise. In the Million Bazzillion podcast, the Dollar Scholars as young as 8 share a money lesson they have learnt with other children like them.
- Kids seeing their work is important. A great example is Story Pirates podcast . It takes stories written by kids and turns them into sketches and song. Some of the authors are as young as 4 years old! How awesome as a kid to see your work take on such import.
So there you have it. The fact that we can show our kids all we hope they can learn without endless talking and talking and talking is a huge perk. We’ve found these resources for you. Check them out.
