Food & Receipts

Childhood Happiness: 4 Things Kids Should Be Allowed to Do

For children, it's the little things that bring them happiness. Their childhood would be truly wonderful if they could experience these things.

Administrator

2 February, 2024

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Allowing Free Imagination

Children are always curious and love to explore new things. Through their wonderful imaginations, children learn to understand life and nurture their imagination. Allowing children to dream without limits brings the following benefits:

Boosting creativity

Famous artist Picasso was allowed to think freely from a young age, and his mother always supported him in this. The freedom to imagine helped him create many unique artworks, laying the foundation for modern art movements.

Enhancing thinking abilities

The freedom to think and imagine helps children practice logical thinking and develop problem-solving skills.

Improving mental health

The opportunity to express oneself through thoughts and emotions helps children understand themselves better and reduce anxiety and stress.

The secret to happiness lies in a child’s abundant imagination, which gives them endless creative potential. This invaluable “asset” helps children explore the world around them as they grow up.

Children Express Themselves Freely

Just like adults, children have unique emotions and need to be understood. Instead of telling children “Don’t cry,” “Stop bothering,” or “Don’t be angry,” parents should recognize and respect their children’s emotions. Listen to them and show understanding: “Dad understands that you’re sad,” “Mom senses your anger,” “Dad will spend time with you later.”

This approach to emotions not only helps children manage their emotions but also strengthens the relationship and trust between children and parents. Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, in her book “Lean In,” shared how her mother always encouraged her to express her own opinions from a young age. Whether it was during family meetings or at school, her mother always encouraged her to speak freely and listened to what she had to say.

This educational process equipped Sheryl Sandberg with the confidence to express herself and develop her leadership skills.

She wrote, “My mother taught me how to voice my opinions and how to succeed in a male-dominated environment.”

Encouraging children to freely express themselves is a key factor in developing self-confidence, leadership abilities, and creativity. When children are given the freedom to express themselves, they become more confident and ready to face challenges, preparing for the future.

Children Feel Valued

Each child is a unique individual with their own interests and opinions, which may not always align with their parents’ expectations. Instead of forcing children to develop according to their own desires, parents should respect their choices and support their pursuit of personal passions.

Providing opportunities for children to experiment and explore, as well as listening to their thoughts and desires, not only promotes curiosity and learning but also nurtures their self-management skills and sense of responsibility.

Respect the individuality of children, view them as independent entities, and encourage them to develop their own unique ideas.

Accompanying Children’s Growth

Parental support during the process of growing up is essential for children, providing the necessary care, guidance, and support for their development. This presence helps children feel safe and confident, as well as forming positive perspectives about life.

Just like Hans Christian Andersen’s father did, storytelling can ignite imagination and creativity, playing a crucial role in nurturing children’s talents. Parents need to be aware of their role in helping children find happiness, succeed in learning, and become responsible citizens.

Taking the time to share activities such as playing, learning, reading books, and showing interest in children’s emotions will help them grow up in a loving and healthy environment, where they can develop naturally.