Disappointment and failure are inevitable in life. It’s important for children to learn how to handle these emotions as early as possible. As a parent, it can be tough to watch your 7-year-old experience disappointment or failure, but it’s a crucial part of their emotional development.
Here are some ways you can help your child handle disappointment and failure:
1. Normalize the experience: Explain to your child that everyone experiences disappointment and failure at times. It’s a normal part of life and nothing to be ashamed of. Let your child know that it’s okay to feel sad or frustrated, but that these emotions won’t last forever.
2. Encourage resilience: Help your child build resilience by teaching them to bounce back from disappointment or failure. This could mean encouraging them to try again or to find a new approach. Praise their efforts and encourage them to keep going.
3. Avoid overprotectiveness: It’s natural to want to shield your child from disappointment or failure, but this can actually do more harm than good. Overprotective parents can prevent their child from building resilience and developing problem-solving skills.
4. Model healthy coping strategies: Show your child how to handle disappointment and failure by modeling healthy coping strategies. This could mean taking a few deep breaths, talking about your feelings, or seeking support from friends or family.
5. Celebrate successes and efforts: It’s important to celebrate your child’s successes, but it’s also important to celebrate their efforts. Praise their hard work and perseverance, even if they don’t achieve the result they were hoping for.
Remember, disappointment and failure are a natural part of life. By helping your child develop resilience and healthy coping strategies, you can prepare them to handle life’s challenges with confidence and determination.We also have another guide where we talk about WHAT ARE SOME TOOLS FOR TEACHING 7-YEAR-OLDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE? .
Some Statistics
- • According to a study conducted by the American Psychological Association, 70% of children aged 711 reported feeling disappointed or frustrated when they failed at something.
- • A survey conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health found that children aged 711 who experienced failure were more likely to have difficulty managing their emotions and responding appropriately to disappointment.
- • Research from the University of Michigan found that children who are taught how to handle disappointment and failure at an early age are more likely to develop resilience and better coping skills.
- • A study conducted by Harvard Medical School found that teaching children how to manage disappointment and failure can help them become more successful in the long run.
Data
- • According to a study published in the journal Developmental Psychology, children between the ages of 6 and 8 are more likely to become frustrated, angry, and overwhelmed when faced with disappointment or failure.
- • A survey conducted by the American Psychological Association found that nearly half of all parents reported their children experienced feelings of disappointment and failure at least once a week.
- • A study published in the journal Child Development found that children who had been taught how to cope with disappointment and failure were better able to regulate their emotions and behavior.
- • Research published in the journal Pediatrics suggests that teaching children problemsolving skills can help them cope with disappointment and failure.
- • According to a study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, teaching children resilience skills can help them manage their emotions when faced with disappointment or failure.