Growing Confidence Through Challenges: Learning to Try New Things
- Nadia Renata
- Sep 4
- 5 min read
The First Steps Series: Your Guide to Primary School Transition Success - Day 4
Encouraging children to face small challenges is one of the most effective ways to build confidence, resilience and a growth mindset.
For kids starting primary school, even minor tasks, like answering a question in class, trying a new game at recess or tackling a tricky puzzle, can feel daunting. These early experiences shape how children perceive effort, risk and personal capability, so guiding them thoughtfully is key.
When children experience manageable challenges in a supportive environment, they learn that uncertainty isn’t something to fear, but an opportunity to grow.
Why Challenges Matter
Taking on challenges helps children:
Learn that effort is more important than immediate success.
Develop problem-solving skills and perseverance.
Build self-efficacy - believing in their ability to influence outcomes.
Grow emotionally resilient, learning to manage frustration, uncertainty and mistakes.
Even small wins reinforce the idea that trying is valuable, mistakes are normal and courage is built step by step.
Practical Strategies to Encourage Challenge-Taking
Helping children build confidence isn’t about pushing them into uncomfortable situations; it’s about guiding them to take small, meaningful steps that stretch their comfort zones while feeling supported.
By providing clear guidance, tools to track progress, and opportunities to celebrate effort, parents can turn everyday challenges into powerful learning moments. These strategies equip children to approach new experiences with curiosity, resilience and a growing belief in their own abilities.
Model Courage and Effort
Children watch closely how adults respond to challenges. Share your own “trying moments,” including small failures and how you overcame them. For example: “I wasn’t sure I could finish my work on time, but I asked for help and kept going. Look what I accomplished!” This shows them that asking for support is brave, and persistence is powerful.
Set Small, Achievable Challenges
Encourage manageable goals that stretch your child without overwhelming them, such as:
Answering one question in class.
Playing a new game at recess.
Completing a simple chore independently.
Use the “Daily Brave Moment” Tracker (Download Below)
Give your child a simple tracker to record their daily challenge. Include a Hero Habits section for small wins, such as:
Saying “hello” to a classmate.
Completing homework on their own.
Helping a friend.
Recording both brave moments and small achievements reinforces a sense of progress and personal growth.
Celebrate Meaningful Effort, Not Just Completion
Recognise when your child takes real initiative or faces something challenging, rather than praising every small task automatically. Focus on the courage, persistence or creativity they demonstrate, not just the fact that they “did something.”
For example:
“I loved how you kept trying, even when it felt tricky.”
“You asked a question even though it felt scary, well done!”
Notice that the praise is tied to specific effort or bravery, not just the activity itself.
This helps children understand that true confidence comes from stepping outside their comfort zone and sticking with it, not from receiving a reward for simply participating.
By linking encouragement to genuine effort, children develop a growth mindset and learn that perseverance, curiosity and courage are what really matter, not just outcomes or applause.
Reflect Together Daily - Take a few minutes in the evening to review their tracker. Ask open-ended questions:
“What did you try today that felt challenging?”
“How did it feel when you accomplished it?”
“What small win made you proud?”
Reflection consolidates learning, normalizes emotions like nervousness and strengthens resilience.
Putting It Into Practice Daily
In practice, this means looking for everyday moments where your child can safely stretch themselves and noticing those moments in real time. It could be encouraging them to speak up in class, try a new game at recess or help a friend with a tricky task. Pause to acknowledge the effort, discuss what was learned and cheer their persistence, without turning it into a “reward for everything” exercise. These consistent, small interactions reinforce that courage is built step by step and that trying, even without instant success, is what truly matters.
Growing Together Through Courage
Each challenge your child embraces is more than just a task; it’s a step toward understanding their own strength. When they try, stumble, and try again, they learn that mistakes are part of learning, effort matters more than perfection and bravery comes in many forms. By celebrating these moments, whether it’s asking a question in class, saying “hello” to a classmate or completing homework independently, you show them that confidence grows from consistent, small wins.
As a parent, your presence, calm encouragement and recognition of effort communicate a powerful message: growth is a journey shared. In nurturing your child’s courage, you also nurture your own resilience, patience and pride. Together, you create a rhythm of learning, bravery and connection that will carry them, and you forward, long after the first day of school.
Parent Wellness Tip
Supporting a child through challenges can stir your own anxiety. Take care of yourself by:
Practicing a brief breathing exercise while your child tackles a challenge.
Reminding yourself: “I am calm, patient and my child is learning to grow.”
Journalling or noting observations to track their progress without judgment.
Kid Affirmation:
“I can try new things. Each small step makes me braver and stronger.”
Parent Affirmation:
“I celebrate effort and courage. My child learns and grows every day, and so do I.” – Nadia Renata | Audacious Evolution
Help Your Child Build Confidence Every Day!
Ready to turn small challenges into big confidence? Download our “Daily Brave Moment” Tracker and give your child a simple, fun way to log brave moments and celebrate small wins. Each day becomes an opportunity to grow resilience, courage and a growth mindset, one step at a time.
Download Your Tracker Here:
Want more tools like this? Stay tuned for the First Step Toolkit at the end of the series.
This article is part of The First Step Series: Your Guide to Primary School Transition Success - a collection created to support parents with young children, entering the world of Montessori School for the first time.
Stay tuned for more articles, tools and affirmations to help you navigate your child's first days of school with confidence and purpose.
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