In a rapidly changing world where the job market is becoming more competitive by the day, there has never been a more fantastic time to encourage an entrepreneurial mindset in children. As a parent, you have an opportunity to help shape your child into a successful person who is prepared to take on any challenge that life throws at them.
Here are five entrepreneurial skills you can teach your child to prepare them for the future they'll one day create for themselves:
Problem-solving is an essential entrepreneurial skill for your child to conquer, and it's also one of the toughest! This is because it's easy to identify problems after they've occurred. Encourage your child to think critically in real-life scenarios. Introduce simple steps to overcome problematic situations, such as impending homework, dirty dishes, or an unprepared school bag. By breaking down these scenarios into manageable tasks, your child will see these as easily achievable activities. The more they practise this skill, the better they'll become at it in later life!
To be resilient is to overcome obstacles and setbacks. We all experience many highs and lows throughout life, but encouraging your child to be resilient early on will only prepare them for the challenges they'll inevitably face when they're older. Encourage your child to share their feelings and allow them to understand that failure isn't the end of the world! Everyone learns from their mistakes. Some simple steps to build your child's resilience could be by testing their independence, depending on their age. Ask yourself the following questions: Are they capable of preparing their own lunch? How long can they keep their bedroom tidy? Are they confident enough to get public transport by themselves? It's entirely natural for parents to want to protect their children, but allowing them to make mistakes early on will enable them to grow, build their character and improve their self-confidence.
Creativity is an absolute necessity when it comes to entrepreneurship. It's what makes your product or service unique. Coming up with fresh ideas and solutions is an integral part of any business, but more often than not, people are afraid to try new things. As technology continues to evolve, it's essential to prepare your child for the jobs of tomorrow. After all, 85% of all jobs that will exist by 2030 haven't even been created yet! Allow and encourage your child to explore their creativity. Let them think outside the box and beyond societal parameters. This freedom will also help them become better communicators overall.
Time management is all about knowing how to plan, organise, prioritise and excel at daily activities. Test your child's time management abilities by allowing them to choose the order of their predetermined activities; do they prefer to watch TV before or after completing their homework? This is a great experiment and they'll likely experience some form of delayed gratification which can be a great learning curb for the future. Let them explore their preferences and decide for themselves!
Curiosity is what makes an entrepreneur. It's about getting out of your comfort zone, learning new skills and techniques, and taking risks. Encouraging your child to explore these traits early on will propel them towards success. Why not organise a weekend trip to a gallery or museum to spark their imagination? Or maybe you could inspire them to pursue new hobbies, extra-curricular activities, or social causes such as volunteering. Not only will this teach your child empathy and emotional intelligence, but it will also broaden their perspective on life and expose them to a wide range of people and experiences.