Raising High Achievers: Setting Benchmarks for Success

Every parent dreams of seeing their child reach great heights and achieve success in life. But what does success truly mean, and how can we guide our children toward it? Success is not a one-size-fits-all concept; it varies from child to child, shaped by their unique talents, interests, and goals. Setting benchmarks for success is a crucial part of this journey, providing children with clear, achievable goals to strive toward.

Benchmarks serve as reference points that help children understand what is expected of them and measure their progress. However, it's important to remember that these benchmarks should be tailored to each child's individual abilities and aspirations. While setting high standards is essential, it must be done in a supportive and encouraging manner, without imposing undue pressure or negativity.

Competition plays a significant role in raising these benchmarks. Healthy competition can motivate children to push their limits, fostering resilience and perseverance. When children compete in a friendly and supportive environment, they learn valuable life skills that prepare them for future challenges. However, it's equally important to strike a balance, ensuring that competition remains constructive and doesn't become a source of stress or anxiety.

7 Ways to Encourage Your Child to Raise Benchmarks

1. Foster Healthy Competition:

Healthy competition can be a powerful motivator for children. It helps children push their limits and strive for excellence. Encourage them to participate in activities where they can compete with their peers in a supportive environment. For example, encouraging your child to participate in quizzes against other children can improve critical thinking skills while also fostering a competitive spirit. Ensure that the focus remains on personal growth and learning, rather than just winning.

2. Strengthen Foundational Skills:

Language and numeracy skills are fundamental to success in any field. Invest time in strengthening these core skills through engaging and interactive learning tools like BrainGymJr. For instance, BrainGymJr's audio stories can help improve both spoken and written English, while its puzzles encourage children to apply their mind and solve difficult math problems.

3. Set Personalized and Realistic Goals:

Work with your child to set goals that reflect their unique interests and abilities. Personalized goals are more meaningful and motivating than generic ones. For instance, if your child is passionate about science, set benchmarks related to completing science projects or participating in science fairs. Celebrate their achievements along the way to keep them motivated.

4. Encourage a Growth Mindset:

Teach your child that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and practice. A growth mindset fosters resilience and a love for learning. Praise your child for their hard work and perseverance, rather than just their innate abilities. For example, if they struggle with a difficult math problem, commend their effort, and encourage them to keep trying.

5. Provide Opportunities for Exploration:

Expose your child to a variety of activities to help them discover their interests and strengths. Encourage them to try new things. Remember, children might not excel at everything they attempt, and that's perfectly okay. The key is to help them discover their strengths and passions, even if it means quitting something that doesn't resonate with them. By doing so, they can focus their efforts on areas where they have the potential to truly excel.

 For instance, enrolling your child in different extracurricular activities like music, sports, or art can help them find their passion and develop a well-rounded skill set.

6. Create a Supportive Environment:

Children thrive in environments where they feel supported and valued. Celebrate their achievements, no matter how small, and provide constructive feedback when necessary. Do not judge them or ridicule mistakes or failure. A supportive environment boosts their confidence to keep trying and raising the bar. For example, at BrainGymJr we recognize effort and award badges / certificates for small and big wins. We also motivate children to take a ‘jump test’ to move to a higher level in the game. This helps them better their own performance and raise the bar without any judgement or fear of failure.

7. Balance and Well-being:

Ensure that your child's schedule includes time for rest, play, and relaxation. Overloading them with activities can lead to burnout and diminish their enthusiasm for learning. A balanced approach helps maintain their overall well-being and keeps them motivated to achieve their goals. Encourage activities that promote physical health, such as outdoor play or family sports.

Raising high achievers involves setting personalized benchmarks that motivate children to reach their highest potential. By fostering healthy competition, strengthening foundational skills, and creating a supportive environment, parents can guide their children toward success. The goal is not just to achieve, but to develop well-rounded, confident individuals who are prepared to lead and inspire others. By encouraging our children to find joy in their pursuits and supporting them every step of the way, we can raise the leaders and achievers of tomorrow.

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." – Albert Schweitzer