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hildren don’t grow brave by hearing “Be brave.” They gain courage by testing ideas, making guesses, and being taken seriously—especially when they’re not sure they’re right. When you invite them to speak first, to challenge a pattern, or to question a rule, you’re handing them the tools of confident thinking. Over time, these moments build the resilience they’ll need to speak up in debates, face critique, and trust their own reasoning.

During a rainy afternoon, my son began describing a machine that could trap lightning and store it in a battery. He stumbled over the explanation, unsure of the science, but excited by the thought. I didn’t correct him. I asked him to draw it. Then we talked about energy and circuits, and how inventors often start with wild ideas. That conversation didn’t produce a working invention, but it made him feel like someone whose thoughts were worth pursuing. That feeling sticks.

When your child shares an idea, treat it like it matters. Ask what made them think of it. Encourage revisions, not perfection. Let them pitch wild solutions to real problems. Even if the logic is wobbly, the act of voicing something uncertain builds the courage to keep thinking out loud. Over time, boldness becomes a habit—not because they always have the right answer, but because they’ve learned that their ideas have room to grow.

TIPS

• Welcome half-formed ideas without rushing to correct them.
• Invite your child to explain their thinking, even if it sounds far-fetched.
• Reinforce that it’s okay not to have all the answers right away.

ACTIVITIES

• Wild Idea Talk: Ask, “If you could invent anything, what would it be?” Let them run with it, then explore how it might work.
• What If Game: Take turns imagining impossible scenarios (“What if animals could vote?”) and build from there.