How Can My Child Become More "Self Smart"?

According to You're Smarter Than You Think, by Thomas Armstrong, PhD., below are some ways you can help your child expand and enjoy his/her Self Smart skills. Have your child try any activity that appeals to him/her no matter how Self Smart you think your child is.

1. Have your child ask him/herself, "Who am I? At the top of a sheet of paper, write the words, "Who Am I? Have your child write down as many answers to this question. Your child can list likes and dislikes, hobbies, and anything else that comes to mind.

2. Keep a journal. Encourage your child to write down feelings, ideas, memories, or anything he/she can think of.

3. Make a self lists. Your child should make a list of all the things he/she does well.

4. Set goals for themselves. Pick a regular time each day, week, or month to set up specific goals that your child like to reach over a given period of time.

5. Put together an autobiography. Have your child create the story of his/her life so far.

6. Create a self-collage. Use pictures from magazines, photos, or art materials.

7. Remember your dreams. Find a way to keep track of your child's dreams at night. Write them down if you wish. Then spend time discussing the dreams and what they mean to your child.

8. Think about the day. At the end of each day, reflect on the great thing that happened, or what didn't go so well, or what was learned, and what can be improved in the future.

9. Take a look in your Self Smart "tool box". Make a list of all the "tools" your child has to help deal with problems and stress in his/her life.

10. Read self-help books. A lot of books can help your child learn about self. This can include reading biographies about successful people.

11. Do something your child loves. Spend time each day or week by letting your child spend time by him/herself doing something they love.

12. Start something important to your child. Your child might invent something that fixes a common problem, or might start a business base on one of their ideas or inventions.