Youth shoes > Info Center > Using the Obstacle Course to build confidence in your child Using the Obstacle Course to build confidence in your child (and yourself!)
Is your child exhibiting a lack of confidence? While this is common, there are simple strategies for building confidence in your child, and it may be as simple as an afternoon in your own back yard. If you are a parent who is currently concerned about your child’s lack of confidence, there is a simple and enjoyable tool that you can easily put in place together. Begin by sitting down and talking about the idea of an Obstacle Course in your backyard, or home, depending on available space. Tell your child this is something you want to do for you; something you’ve always wanted to do, but need help with. Consider the things you have in your home – a staircase? A ladder (safe, of course) a spare tire, marbles, a sleeping bag, a handful of unused bricks. The list can go on and on, and as you and your child consider the things you have that are not being used, you will find you have a number of objects lying around to build The World’s Most Enjoyable Obstacle Course. Choose the layout of the course, and give each thing an “assignment.” Each assignment should only be difficult enough physically or intellectually to pose a bit of a challenge, without being overwhelming. Get your stop-watch ready, or some way to “time” the course. Begin by setting it up. Does your child like to climb? Then climb they will, up and down, five times in a row, before heading to the pile of bricks and having to carry them, balanced, to the spare tire. Once at the spare tire, you or your child should sit, stand, hop in, hop out, run around three times and move onto the bucket of water. The bucket of water must be carried without spilling a drop to the next location. On and on this can go. As much as you or your child can dream up, (safely, of course) there are no limitations. Time yourself first, going slow, so as not to “win,” the first time out. Find some things a little too frustrating and give up. Make your child push you to complete the course, and then set your child free to accomplish it on his or her own. Shout, applaud, and push. Celebrate the “time” of the event, and try again if your child wants to. It is no secret that “accomplishment” is the key to confidence for your child. Each time they complete the course, find some new thing to congratulate them on. (“I would have never thought of hopping into the tire and sitting in one move, that was brilliant? Took two seconds off of your Time.”) Take an active interest in the growing course. Think on it and ask your child how you can make it even more difficult. Ask your child what his or her favorite “task” is within the course, and make that task more difficult. If the “obstacle course” is limited to indoors, then one of the “tasks” must be picking it up and putting it away when finished. Time this too! Make “picking up the course” one of the obstacles. Time yourselves putting it back in place when you’re ready to try again. And no matter what, always congratulate your child on his or her accomplishments within the course. There is no need to ever mention that what you are working on is confidence. As you watch your child grow and take pride in the game, you will worry less, just as your child will. The simple step of creating an enjoyable past time for you and your child has benefits that far outweigh the work. How much time was spent away from the television or video games while you worked on the course? Time that as well! Congratulate your child on picking something active and fun as opposed to sitting silent in a room with the television. Keep the Obstacle Course a “special place” within your family, or between you and your child for the time being. There is plenty of time for friends and neighbors to join in, but not until your own child has “mastered” the course and can complete and compete with pleasure. Creating an obstacle course for your child will be a rewarding experience for both of you. All of us suffer from confidence now and again, and something as simple as climbing that tire swing can prepare you for your own challenges at work or in the world. Create something for you and your child that you will both benefit from. Take the time to notice and celebrate that the world, is, in fact, a Playground. [ Return to infomation center ] Related topics:Childrens
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