There are varying opinions on how to best support a child’s future success. Some suggest investing in skill-building courses, while others emphasize the importance of academic excellence for better college and career prospects. However, the reality is that a child’s success stems from a combination of factors beyond just a wealthy background or numerous extracurricular activities.
According to experts, regardless of economic status, children need to take ownership of their lives. This is especially true for children from ordinary families, who may not have the same financial advantages as their peers. These children need to work harder to keep up with the rapid changes in today’s society.
To navigate their lives successfully, children need to be equipped with essential knowledge and skills. There are three crucial aspects that ordinary families should focus on to build a solid foundation for their children’s bright future:
Parents should lead by example by living their lives with integrity and dedication
Consider a couple from a rural area, where the father works as a brick carrier at a construction site and the mother sorts goods in a supermarket. Despite their modest means, their son achieved an impressive 684 points in last year’s university entrance exam (based on the scoring system used in China). This earned him the admiration of his neighbors, who referred to him as “a noble child from a poor family.”
Their home is adorned with certificates of achievement, ranging from elementary to high school, proudly displayed on the walls.
Every evening after dinner, the family reads and writes together under the lamp light. The father studies design blueprints, the mother reads parenting books, and they help their son with his homework.
This story illustrates that you don’t need wealth to raise a successful child. By leading a diligent and principled life, parents provide their children with the best possible start.
Psychologist Bandura conducted an experiment where he asked two groups of children to play with shape-sorting blocks while their parents were either engaged with their phones (Group A) or reading newspapers (Group B). The results showed that children in Group B persisted in the task for 40% longer than those in Group A, demonstrating the power of “learning through observation.”
Children are innate imitators. If parents are constantly on their phones, children may develop an unhealthy attachment to electronic devices. On the other hand, if parents display a studious attitude, children will understand that learning requires focus and dedication.
For ordinary families, the best support they can offer their children is to be a shining example. This “light” doesn’t have to be perfect. Parents don’t need to be superheroes. Their attitude and approach to life become the first textbook their children read.
Parents should lead by example, living their lives with integrity and dedication.
Help children find their passion and purpose in life
Consider the story of an 11-year-old boy from Wenzhou, China, whose family couldn’t afford art classes. He spent his free time drawing while helping his father at the auto repair shop. Three years later, he won a gold medal in a national youth art competition.
This story highlights the importance of helping children from ordinary families find their passion and purpose in life.
Passion needs to be nurtured with patience.
Neuroscientists have discovered that when children engage in activities they enjoy, their brains release dopamine and endorphins, which promote neural connections. Simply put, doing what they love makes children smarter. Therefore, it’s crucial for parents to help their children discover their passions.
For instance, if a child enjoys taking apart toys, take them to a science and technology museum. If they like to doodle, buy them a sketchbook. If they’re talkative, encourage them to participate in debates.
Nurturing passion requires patience.
True support means teaching children how to navigate and compete in the world
Consider the story of a graduate from Tsinghua University (one of China’s top universities) who chose to sell tofu pudding during his summer vacation. While some may have viewed this as a waste of his elite education, he earned 30,000 RMB (nearly 109,000,000 VND) in one month.
The purpose of education is to provide choices and opportunities, not just to excel academically.
Therefore, an important lesson for ordinary families to teach their children is about dealing with disappointment and developing survival skills.
This includes teaching children how to interact with others, manage their finances, create schedules, cope with setbacks, and take care of themselves in any environment.
When children face life’s challenges, the courage to pursue their passions and the wisdom to navigate the world are the most valuable gifts parents can give them.
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