It's scary to seem stupid in modern society, especially in situations that require demonstrating knowledge or skills. This fear can occur at work, at school, or in any social interaction. No one wants to be judged by others and lose their respect. However, the fear of appearing silly can be a serious obstacle to personal and professional growth. In this article, we will offer options for overcoming this child's fear. And if your kids want to try something new, we look forward to seeing them at Progkids!
I look stupid... So what?
Here are some strategies to help your child not be afraid to sound stupid.
#1. Tell us about your past
Tell your child about situations when you've felt stupid or made mistakes. Explain how you did it and what you learned. Use your example to show that everything is not as scary as it seems.
#2. Highlight the value of mistakes
Explain that mistakes are a natural part of learning and development. They help us grow and become better.
#3. Develop a sense of humor
Teach your child to laugh at his own failures. This will reduce the fear of judgment and teach you how to see the positive side in any situation.
#4. Encourage self-expression
Support your child in their quest to be themselves, even if it means looking weird or silly in front of others.
#5. Strengthen your self-esteem
Remind your child of his strengths and achievements so that he understands that individual failures are not “all of him”.
#6. Discuss real-life examples
Talk about famous people or characters from books who also faced awkward moments but kept moving on.
#7. Create a safe space
Provide support and understanding within the family so that the child knows that they are accepted for who they are.
#8. Remind me that you won't be nice to everyone
Tell your child that no matter what he does, everyone in the world can't like him. The ideal option is to be yourself. As American writer Dr. Seuss said in the fairy tale “Cat in the Hat”, be who you are and say what you feel, because those who don't like it don't matter. And those who matter will love it!
Programming legends who were often stupid
Well-known programmers often allowed themselves to ask “stupid” questions and try new approaches despite the risk of failure.
Richard Stallman
The founder of the free software movement and the GNU Project was not afraid to go against the tide and question traditional software distribution models. His openness to new ideas and his willingness to ask uncomfortable questions have led to significant results and changed the IT world.
Ken Thompson
The co-author of the UNIX operating system is known for his innovative approach to problem solving. He was never afraid to experiment with new concepts and ask fundamental but bizarre questions.
Donald Knuth
The author of The Art of Programming has always strived for a deep understanding of algorithms and data structures. He has never been shy about admitting gaps in his knowledge and asking questions that might seem simple or even silly at first glance.
The examples of these people inspire us to bravely pursue new knowledge! Does your child also want to learn to code? Then sign him up for a free trial lesson at Progkids!
