Positive Youth Development

We all have strengths and weaknesses, and most of us prefer to do things that show our strengths. We like challenge and competition when we can excel, but we will most likely decide not to try or compete if we feel we may not do as well as others.

Children need encouragement and recognition of their abilities and efforts. They need to feel they are valued and that their efforts are noticed and appreciated. Parents who make a point of noticing and telling their children when they are doing well, encourage their children to continue trying to improve.

Encouragement is the process of acknowledging and recognizing effort, improvement, contributions and accomplishments. It emphasizes the process - the effort and improvement, not just the product - the achievement or accomplishment. Encouragement helps build self confidence and self esteem.

It isn't always easy to be encouraging, especially when people make mistakes and things go wrong. Learning to accept mistakes as learning experiences and learning to focus on positives takes time and practice.

Ways to give encouragement include:

• Focus on strengths and assets
• Recognize effort and improvement
• Accept mistakes as learning experiences
• Ask for participation in resolving problems
• Show appreciation
• Point out positives and alternative ways of viewing situations

For more information on encouragement or other questions or comments, call the Trinity Adolescent Program at (515) 574-6596.

This article was written by Pam Lehman, a counselor with the Trinity Recovery Center at Trinity Regional Hospital. Pam has a Master of Science degree in counseling.