Lead by example by demonstrating the values and qualities you want to instill in your child.
Share your own experiences of overcoming challenges and learning from mistakes.
Give Opportunities to teach younger or same aged friends how to do a task. Try a mentorship programs, Boys & Girls Club or just set it up yourself with a friend teaching your child something and your child teaching them something.
Organize playdates or group activities where children can collaborate and learn teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Emphasize the importance of working together like a team of superheroes. Talk about your own shortcomings and how you need help sometimes.
Talk about what your child can do easily and how they can use that to help someone who finds that particular thing hard to do.
Activity! Team UP Idea Generator
Encouraging imaginative play allows children to explore various roles, problem-solve, and grow their creativity. That's why superheroes are perfect role models for fostering a growth mindset! Make sure to give time for play! Even as kids get older, don't just free them of boredom with electronics. Let the boredom be a problem they solve with play.
Boredom
Next time child says "I am bored" - don't solve the problem. Introduce Johnny Karate Boredom Buster and allow for the boredom to motivate action or inspire creativity.
Discuss the concept of personal growth and improvement with your child.
Work Together to set achievable goals -specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. SMART-Question.pdf and goal-chart.pdf
Create Systems If goal setting is not your strong suit, consider setting up systems
Ninjaman's training includes mental agility and problem-solving skills. Introduce riddles, puzzles and brain-teasers to challenge their critical thinking) abilities.
Discuss how Ninjaman uses his intellect to outsmart adversaries and solve complex mysteries. Ask questions when watching or reading together.
Problem Solving Sport
Activities like rock-climbing, tree climbing presents a thought provoking challenge!
Locks
Check your junk drawer for old keys and locks or invest in some padlocks of various sizes. Sting the keys and encourage figuring out which goes with which. Learn to pick a lock together - this is really a great way to understand how they work. Remind child when this practice is acceptable and when not.
There's An App for That
Help your child design their superhero persona, complete with a name, costume, and backstory. If you have a sewing machine, consider teaching them to make the cape on it. If not, consider crafting costumes out of found materials, glue and tape. Allow child to come back to the costume at a later date for an update!
Alter Ego
Use this alter ego as a platform for teaching values and setting positive examples. Allow for a time to be the superhero and play, preferably around the same time every day (i.e an hour before bath time).
Share age-appropriate superhero stories that emphasize moral dilemmas and the importance of making ethical choices.
Encourage discussions about the character's decisions and how they relate to everyday life. If you want to draw out your stories, you could try our storyboards or create your own.
Story Starters