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Gritty Games (4+)
Time: 10-15minutes
Purpose: To develop grit and learn how to behave when they lose or feel frustrated. This also has an added bonus of developing mindfulness and learning to be present. When playing, make sure no one is on his or her phone, etc. Games also help strengthen family connections!
Instructions: Play any game and put in your best effort, meaning don’t just go easy and let your child winJ. If they get discouraged, encourage them not to give up. Model how to be a good sport and how to keep going even when you know you won’t win.
This really depends on age appropriate games we love:
Younger: Don’t break the Ice, Go Fish, HiHo Cheerio, Candy Land, Sorry, Memory, Zingo, Perfection, and I Spy board game
Older: Jenga, Suspend, Operation, Obstacles, Connect Four, Battleship, Boggle, Spot It, I Spy, Blokus
Gritty Activities (4+)
Time: 10-15minutes
Purpose: To develop resiliency and grit. This also helps develop helpful self-talk and inner pride.
Instructions: Engage in difficult activities. Let your child get frustrated and work through the frustration. Ideas: Origami kits, connect the dots, Sudoku, pillow pets, Legos, puzzle balls, puzzles, obstacle courses, hop-scotch, ride a bike, anything challenging!
Learning Lessons (5+)
Time: 5-10minutes
Purpose: To identify and develop resiliency and grit. This also helps develop helpful self-talk.
Instructions: Identify a trustworthy adult (parents, grandparents, teachers, aunts/uncles, etc.) and ask them to think of a time they learned a valuable lesson which involved grit. Be sure to give them a heads up before your child asks them.
Have your child interview the identified person/s asking them about a learning lesson that involved grit. Ask them how it made them feel afterwards.
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