True Excellence
Our children start school fully equipped with everything they need, yet their day can be upended by a seemingly minor incident: a remark in front of peers, an incorrect answer, a fleeting disagreement, or the feeling that they didn’t grasp the lesson. These details may appear trivial to adults, but they can weigh heavily on a child or adolescent. Therefore, it is not enough simply to teach our children how to complete their homework; we must also train them to handle situations that do not unfold as expected. We need to teach them that embarrassment does not equate to failure, that not understanding a particular lesson does not mean they are incapable of learning, and that a disagreement with a friend can be resolved without escalating into prolonged resentment and estrangement.
We can support our children by calmly discussing their daily experiences, not with the aim of interrogation, but to foster understanding. For instance, we might ask: What did you do when you didn’t know the answer? How did you feel when you disagreed with your classmate? What else could you have done differently? As counselors or educational supervisors, these questions reveal the areas where children and adolescents need to develop their personalities and where they require support. Importantly, we must also teach them to distinguish between matters they can change and those beyond their control. A child may not be able to choose their teacher, classmates, or the difficulty level of an exam, but they can ask for clarification, prepare more effectively, avoid arguments, or seek help from a trusted adult when needed.
Confidence is not built merely through words of encouragement; it is forged through repeated experiences in which a child feels they have faced a difficult situation and managed to overcome it. The more space we give them to try and bear the consequences of their choices, the more capable they become of relying on themselves, without feeling that they must face everything alone. School is not just a place for academic learning; it is an environment where our children practice communication, emotional regulation, and decision-making. The role of the home is to accompany this journey with attentive, calm support, constantly reminding children that stumbling is part of the path, not an indication that they are incapable of reaching their goals.
Nadi Al-Mutairi
