I’ve been trying to help my kids develop grit and stick with things when they get tough. Positive reinforcement seems like a good approach, but I’m not sure how to actually put it into practice. Any tips or ideas on encouraging perseverance in little ones without being too pushy? What’s worked for other parents?
I remember when my kids were little, they’d give up so easily on tough stuff. One thing that worked was letting them see me struggle sometimes too. Like when I was fixing something around the house, I’d talk out loud about not giving up even when it was frustrating.
For my youngest, we started a ‘challenge jar.’ Whenever she finished something hard, she’d write it down and put it in. On tough days, we’d pull one out to remind her of what she’d already done.
My oldest responded well to setting small goals. If he had a big school project, we’d break it into tiny steps. Ticking off each one kept him going.
It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but over time, they both got better at sticking with things. Now as teens, I see that persistence pay off in their schoolwork and hobbies. 
My kids often get frustrated with big projects. We break them into smaller parts. They pick which to do first. It’s less overwhelming.
Seeing progress helps them keep going. Sometimes we take pics along the way to show how far they’ve come.
With my kids, I’ve found that breaking big tasks into smaller steps really helps build perseverance. For puzzles, we might start with just the edge pieces. Or for cleaning their room, we focus on one area at a time.
I try to point out their progress along the way. Like ‘Wow, you’ve got all the blue pieces sorted!’ It seems to keep them motivated to finish.
We also talk about times when they kept trying and succeeded. My oldest loves to remind her little brother about how he learned to ride his bike after lots of practice.
It’s not always smooth sailing, but I’ve noticed they’re getting better at sticking with things. Seeing them proud of what they accomplish is pretty great too.
I’ve found that turning challenges into mini-games works well with my child. For tricky homework, we set a timer to see how many problems can be solved before it ends. With chores, we often create a fun race against the clock. Maintaining a lighthearted spirit and celebrating every small win helps create a playful environment. It’s not a perfect system, and each child is unique, so I try different approaches and adjust as needed based on whether the activity feels enjoyable and engaging.
Lately I’ve been trying to encourage my child who is five to stick with puzzles when they get frustrated. It’s been hit or miss so far. Some days they’ll keep at it, other times they just walk away. I’m curious how other parents handle this without pushing too hard. Do you give hints, or just let them figure it out on their own? What about for other tasks that need persistence? I’d love to hear what’s worked for your kids.