Activities to help your child to develop entrepreneurial skills
While there may be an ongoing debate as to whether entrepreneurs are born or made, there is little doubt that certain behaviour traits are associated with an innovative spirit, and can help set your child up for success.
1. Goal setting & planning
Teaching your children to identify goals, write them down, and determine the steps needed to achieve their objectives are tools that will come in handy throughout your child’s life.
Activities to do at home: Speak to your child about what they would like to accomplish in various aspects of their life, perhaps at school, within a teams or activity, or personally (such as their health). Encourage an older child to write down their goals and together brainstorm a list of steps they need to take in order to reach this objective. Ask your child to put the list in chronological order, numbering which step comes first, second, and so on. Younger children can draw a picture of achieving their goal, while discussing what they need to do to make it a reality.
The next time you have a project as a family, whether planning a party or moving house, involve your children. Together, brainstorm a list of what needs to be done, and let your children place the action steps in order. Post the list where it is easy to see and let your child check off activities as they are completed.
2. Create solutions out of problems
One of the greatest gifts a parent can give a child is the ability to find a solution, or an opportunity, out of an existing problem. While at school most children learn how to respond in a test situation, where there is only one correct answer. Children are rarely allowed the opportunity to think outside of the box. Even within a family unit we often expect our children to complete a task in certain way. However, the ability to think of alternative methods to solve a problem is a useful characteristic in life and entrepreneurship.
Activities to do at home: Help your child to see that an issue is not a brick wall but an opportunity to problem solve; a challenge that can be surmounted. When an issue does arise, show your child, through example, how to stay calm, and then brainstorm ways to meet the challenge head on. Encourage participation and do not rule out any ideas, no matter how silly or ‘out there’ they may seem.
The next time your child is faced with a problem, give them the opportunity to respond in their own way, even if it is not how you would have solved the crisis. If a child comes up with a different way of doing an everyday task, encourage the child to articulate how and why they would do the job differently. Most importantly, listen and implement their ideas, even if you have doubts that it will work. If an idea does not work out, take a look at the next point (number 3).
3. Failure
Children are often taught that an answer is either right or wrong, and that wrong is bad and this approach may convince a child not to think ‘outside of the box’ for fear of being labelled ‘wrong’/ ‘bad’. Failure is not about being wrong, nor does it signal the end of the road. Rather, failure can be seen as a chance to find another way of doing things. Perseverance is an invaluable tool in business and in life.
Activities to do at home: Part of living is about making mistakes. The next time something does not work out the way your child had hoped, use the opportunity to talk about perseverance. Children remember what we do more than what we say, so be aware of how you handle disappointments in your own life.
4. Marketing & sales
Ultimately the ability to sell stems from confidence in oneself, coupled with confidence in the products or services being provided. Prepare your child to meet this challenge ahead of time.
Activities to do at home: Marketing boils down to being able to share an idea in a way that resonates with an audience, seeing the audience’s perspective. When your child has an idea about something that involves friends or family, whether it is what they want to do or a choice about supper, encourage them to explain how their decision will benefit others in the group.
5. Financial management
Earning money is only a small portion of business; managing finances properly is invaluable. Teach your children to handle their money when they are young so concepts such as saving, investing, and donating to charity become second nature.
Activities to do at home: Give your child the opportunity to earn money, and then help them to pay a portion to themselves, dividing money for ‘necessities”, saving for short term and long term goals, as well as allow them to choose a charity where they can donate a percentage of earnings (see point 9).
6. Communication & public speaking
As an entrepreneur, communicating confidently is a highly sought after skill so take time to cultivate this in your own child.
Activities to do at home: Enrol your child in drama or acting classes which encourages young people to speak confidently and clearly. Give your child opportunities to speak in front of friends and family members, even to show and demonstrate a new toy or tell a story.
9. CSI projects
Business is ultimately about helping people; and giving back to the community is standard practice for any successful organisation.
Activities to do at home: Speak to your child about charities and let them choose a type of organisation they would like to support. Encourage your child to donate a portion of their income but also let them know that there are other ways to donate, such as through time or materials.
Whether entrepreneurs are born or made, encouraging children to develop valuable skills through natural play in a supportive environment will have a positive impact throughout their life.
Claire Winson is a mom to a gorgeous little boy and a dog with issues. Claire is a strategic communications consultant, writer, and founder of EntrepreneurMom, a blog to help mompreneurs who want to start, grow and create awareness of their home businesses. She goes nowhere without coffee and lip balm, runs everywhere, and dreams of living an island lifestyle.
