In years of working and growing with children I have observed that whenever a child or young adult accomplishes something that requires effort, persistence, and passion, a personal victory is achieved. Maybe she drew a watercolor for the first time, created a speech to be delivered to peers, learned how to love a special needs child, made a left-handed lay-up using the left hand, or made friends with someone new to the neighborhood.  Whenever a child can fully extend innate talents and practice new challenging skills that reinforce energies, she thrives and is the happiest.  When a child is energized she contributes more, becomes more creative, and encourages others.  It is at these moments that a child is in the "Zone" or in "Flow" making all things possible. Motivating and keeping a child in this "Creative Zone" lifestyle requires affective support, ongoing engagement, challenges in interest-based activities, and strategies to persevere when roadblocks occur.

Roadblocks To Victories

Roadblocks can come in many forms for a child attempting something new or when he has gotten deeply involved in a task that is truly a challenge to his current skill level. Some roadblocks may be physical or knowledge based: Specific how-to skills not mastered for task Growth factors (height, weight, age) Fine motor skill development yet to be reached New knowledge needed to be learned And the list goes on................... Other roadblocks may be related to social  and/or emotional issues: Shyness Peer pressure Low self-esteem and confidence Feeling isolated Self-imposed fear Non-risk taker    Regardless of the type of perceived or real roadblock, a child may begin to shut down, act out, quietly lose belief in self, or desperately seek a way to overcome the setback without knowing where to turn.

Eliminating Roadblocks

It is both normal and natural that every child will hit a roadblock at one or more times during her young life and each time it will not feel good to the child or to those who love her. However, there are strategies that a child can learn and focus on based on her own personal strengths, talents, and interests. This can help her build more self-confidence and breakdown roadblocks more easily establishing her personal set of life tools for future growth.