11 Unique Ways To Encourage Kids to Dream BIG PLUS 20 Dream Big Quotes!
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Inside: Kids are never too young to start dreaming! Let’s show them that we think they are the best, most talented people in the world, and teach them what it takes to make their dreams a reality. Here’s our glorious goal: 11 amazing ways to help your child dream big! Plus, dream big worksheets and inspiring dream big quotes.
Dream big little one!
Your child might dream of flying a magical purple unicorn or flying high like a bird, and while we definitely can’t make these types of dreams come true for our imaginative little ones, we can help our kids figure out what they’re good at, what they actually want, and how to get there!
It’s such a breath of fresh air when we adopt the mindset that anything is possible if we work hard!
And this is true. Having big dreams isn’t silly or indulgent; it’s all part of adopting a growth mindset that will help kids, now and throughout their entire lives.
This year, let’s make those big dreams come true!
Let’s look at practical and unique ways of teaching kids to dream big and then keep reading because we have some super inspiring dream big quotes.
10 Ways to Teach Kids to Dream Big
1. Let kids be creative
One way to teach kids to dream big is to encourage creativity.
Creative activities bring out hidden desires in kids that will help them figure out what they even want (and all this self-awareness will lead to them leading a more fulfilling life.)
Do you want to know one of the best ways to encourage your child to be creative?
Let them be bored.
Don’t rush to fill every moment, of every day, with an activity or your undivided attention.
Being bored leads to creativity.
A child who appreciates and nurtures creativity will come up with new and interesting solutions to any old problem.
Snag our 25 page Dream Big Kit for Kids right here!
2. Encourage kids to explore their interests and passions (a must for teaching kids to dream big)
Sometimes it’s clear what our kids like.
Trains, anyone?
Or perhaps science experiments? (you know the ones where bubbling magical mixtures spill all over the table)
Sports? Reading? Dancing?
A great way to help your child dream big is to hone in on what they are most passionate about. Then encourage these interests.
Remind your child that if they practice, taek won do twice a week, they can achieve their black belt by the age of 12!
And how cool would it be to earn a black belt by age 12!
Honing in on your kid’s interests is also a great way to discover what kids may be interested in pursuing as careers or hobbies.
When given opportunities to explore new things, children can discover what they’re good at and their unique talents and strengths.
Pro Tip!
Remind your children that they can reach their goals if they work hard, persevere, and even if things get tough or don’t go as planned, they can still succeed.
3. Role modeling
Little eyes are always watching.
Kids learn from watching us, so let them see that you believe in yourself and let them see you working to accomplish your goals.
If they see you setting and achieving your goals, they will grow up to do the same.
4. Dream Big!
Teach kids to think outside the box.
Partake in some fun make-believe games or unique activities that will get kids thinking about their own unique dreams.
In our recently published kids journal, Amazing Me, there is an entire chapter (*mission*) related to Dreaming Big. This chapter will help kids discover what their big dreams are.
This journal also includes missions on strengths, developing confidence, and setting goals.
This is precisely the push our kids need to set those big dreams in motion.
And bonus: It’s fun too!
5. Help kids believe they can reach their goals if they work hard enough
Here’s the thing:
We all must learn the importance of perseverance and determination.
We must learn to accept that we might fail a couple of times; after all, no one becomes a pro sports player overnight.
Have the talk with your kids:
We don’t have to give up on any dream just because we fail; we just need to work harder.
In the end, dreaming big doesn’t mean giving up on small dreams – it means setting bigger ones!
6. Reading
Teach kids to dream big by reading them inspiring books like:
- Dare to Dream Big – Lorna Gutierrez
- The Wonderful Things You Will Be – Emily Winfield Martin
- Hooray For You – Marianne Richmond
Reading ignites the imagination!
We don’t realize how much we learn from books. Most children’s books show strong role models, and depict others making a difference around the world.
Books teach kids about overcoming obstacles, believing in themselves, and the importance of helping others achieve their goals too.
See the 15 best books to teach your kids all about Mindfulness.
Pro Tip!
Don’t always give your kids money or buy them a new toy every time they ask (because they saw something cool on T.V.) Materialistic objects are not what we want to use to encourage our kids’ dreams. Instead, encourage them to spend some time thinking about what they would do if there were no limits: What would they build? How high could they jump? How fast could they run? Could they learn to do a backflip? What have they accomplished so far? I realize this is difficult for kids; they lack a certain maturity and self-awareness so start small and encourage your kids. It’s TOTALLY possible.
7. Make a bucket list with your kids
A great way to teach kids about dreaming big is to make a bucket list together.
Talk about all the things they would like to accomplish, see, experience, and do! You can make a bucket list for the current month, one for the year, and one long term life bucket list.
TIP: Make sure to include not only exciting out-of-reach dreams but also small dreams that can be accomplished within the week.
Our Dream Big Kit for Kids includes this fun bucket list printable!
8. Make a Vision Board
Another way to encourage kids to dream big is by making a vision board.
You can use magazines, cards, old flyers, and cut things out that inspire your little one.
For example, if you have a daughter who wants to be a professional soccer player, you might include pictures of soccer balls and soccer players on the board.
If you have a son who dreams of being a firefighter, you may include a poster of a firefighter and a firetruck on the board.
Use whatever inspires them!
You can get these full activities and more in our journal Amazing Me or our Dream Big Printable Kit.
9. Allow your kids to be bored daily (A+ Dream Big Idea for Kids)
We talked about this briefly in point 1, but I wanted to elaborate because it’s so important.
Kids need to have “downtime.”
Downtime allows creativity in children to blossom. All of a sudden, they might start building the tallest lego tower ever or making up an entirely new game. This is how great ideas are born.
Kids don’t always have to reach for the IPAD, iPhone, or Xbox controller. Give them the chance to be bored daily, and they might find a hundred fun uses for that old shoebox or a new way to play with their favorite stuffed animal.
10. Teach your kids to be responsible for their dreams
You can help teach your child about dreaming big by teaching them how to be responsible for those dreams.
If your son wants to become a professional football player, he should be practicing every day. Start to teach goal setting.
We have an entire goal-setting chapter in our Amazing Me Growth Mindset Journal.
If your daughter wants to become a doctor, make sure she has the proper study habits and knows the importance of good grades.
Remember that your kids may have a more challenging time dreaming big if you constantly nag at them about what they do wrong. Instead, encourage them by showing a healthy level of support.
11. Work on one dream at a time
Don’t overwhelm kids by having them set a zillion goals all at the same time.
Instead, start with one dream. Work to make that dream a reality. Take it slow, and be sure to celebrate the small victories along the way.
For example, maybe your daughter wants to compete in the local gymnastics competition: That is a big goal but break it down into milestones: First, she needs a gymnastics outfit. Then she needs to buy a ticket for the competition. Once you’ve accomplished these smaller goals, your daughter will be excited – and she’ll have the confidence to keep chasing her dreams. What you shouldn’t do is have your daughter focusing on the gymnastics competition, and the baseball finals, and a dance recital all at once!
Poof! Things are likely to blow up here.
Ready for More?
Empower your kids with these 12 Mini Mindfulness Exercises for Kids. Get ’em right to your inbox.
Dream Big Quotes for Kids
Final Thoughts on Big Dreams for Kids
Dreams are important.
No matter how big or how small.
They shape our identity and give us a sense of purpose in life.
It is up to us as parents, teachers, influencers, or guardians to help kids cultivate dreams early on by modeling the behavior themselves and encouraging their children with healthy levels of support.
We’ve shared some fantastic tips above about how you can teach your child to dream big from an early age.
In short: Encourage creativity, allow downtime when possible, read and play, model positive behavior, open up opportunities, don’t overwhelm with too many goals at once, work on one goal at a time while celebrating small victories along the way.
And most of all, have fun!
If you loved this article, please comment below on one of your kiddo’s BIG dreams.
Don’t forget to snag your Dream Big Kit for Kids right here.
Resources You’ll Love
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