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7 Tips to Support Your Child's Growth and Confidence

What a month! From Black History to Presidents Day, there is so much to celebrate in February. As you talk with your kids about the great things others have done, it’s a perfect time to remind them of all the great things they’re capable of! Hey there, parents! Are you on the lookout for ways to help your school-aged or homeschooled child reach their full potential? Then you're in the right place! These 7 tips to support your child’s growth and confidence will help motivate kids to shoot for the stars at home, school, and everywhere else they venture. These tips work especially well for homeschool parents to boost the impact of your child's homeschool journey and homeschool curriculum. 1. Nurture Curiosity: Encourage your child to get curious about the world around them in all that they do from educational programs in public school and homeschool groups to fun activities with friends and family. Whether it’s learning a new hobby, reading a story, or while doing homeschool activities, invite your child to ask questions, share new ideas, and seek out answers whenever possible, especially when it comes to unique passions they might have. As you nurture their curiosity, you will also support critical thinking skills that will help them succeed in every way. 2. Create a Supportive Learning Environment: Make your home a place where students feel safe and excited to learn and explore. Based on children's ages and learning styles, tailor your home to suit their individualized way of learning as well as specific interests that excite them, especially if they are homeschooled kids. Perhaps you create a cozy reading corner, build an inspiring art space, or designate a science table in the hallway. Whatever the case, ensure your child feels empowered to learn and explore what they love at home. 3. Encourage Healthy Risk-Taking: Don’t insist your child stays within their comfort zone. Encourage them to try new things, like playing an instrument, entering a talent show, or joining a club. Remember that mistakes are opportunities to grow and instill this mindset in your children. If they don’t try things outside of their school and homeschool curriculum, they’ll never know what might have become their passion. 4. Take Learning to New Levels: When we limit learning to school and homeschool activities, some kids get left behind because they don’t learn as well in conventional settings. Make sure your child explores educational opportunities and fun activities outside of school and home by taking a trip to a museum, going out in nature, or sharing a volunteer experience. Not only will they see learning and growth can happen anywhere, but they will also gain valuable life skills to support future success. 5. Set Goals Together: Help your child set goals that align with their interests and abilities whether as part of their homeschool curriculum or in their outside hobbies. Find more on goal-setting with kids here. By breaking larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks, children can tackle their biggest goals and build confidence as they get there. 6. Acknowledge Effort: Of course, we know to celebrate big wins and accomplishments, but what about effort along the way? Make sure you applaud your child's hard work regardless of the outcome so that they know doing their best is truly what matters. By praising their efforts in school, homeschool, and beyond, not just their accomplishments, children learn that they are worthy just by doing what they can and going at their own pace. This builds confidence and resilience as they move through hardships. 7. Never Stop Cheering: And the most important tip to inspire bold, brave kids: be their biggest cheerleader. Above all, offer unwavering support and encouragement to your child in everything they do from homeschool curriculum to sports. Remind them always that you believe in their potential and will be there to cheer them on or cheer them up no matter how things go after they’ve given something their all. Let them know they are absolutely loved so they are free to love themselves, no matter what. Remember, contributing to your child's success is much more about providing a safe and supportive environment for them to grow than it is about demanding results. And we know already by the fact that you’re here that you’re a master of fostering the curiosity, resilience, and self-assurance kids need to succeed. Keep up the fantastic work! Bake like one of the greats with Duff’s Spritz Cookies Kit! Includes fun tips for young chefs to embrace uniqueness in their cookies and beyond! Shop more kids baking sets here.

Frequently asked questions

What do you put in a kids pretzel baking kit?

No recipe card or pre-measured ingredients that are placed inside any of our baking kit call for or include nuts of any kind. But some of these ingredients have been produced in a facility that also processes nuts, soy, sesame seeds, and gluten. So it's very possible that trace amounts of these potential allergens may be found in some of our baking kit ingredients.

Why should I use a pretzel baking kit?

No recipe card or pre-measured ingredients that are placed inside any of our baking kit call for or include nuts of any kind. But some of these ingredients have been produced in a facility that also processes nuts, soy, sesame seeds, and gluten. So it's very possible that trace amounts of these potential allergens may be found in some of our baking kit ingredients.

Are your pretzel baking kits kosher?

No recipe card or pre-measured ingredients that are placed inside any of our baking kit call for or include nuts of any kind. But some of these ingredients have been produced in a facility that also processes nuts, soy, sesame seeds, and gluten. So it's very possible that trace amounts of these potential allergens may be found in some of our baking kit ingredients.

Do your pretzel baking kits include nuts?

No recipe card or pre-measured ingredients that are placed inside any of our baking kit call for or include nuts of any kind. But some of these ingredients have been produced in a facility that also processes nuts, soy, sesame seeds, and gluten. So it's very possible that trace amounts of these potential allergens may be found in some of our baking kit ingredients.

What equipment do I need for a pretzel baking kit?

No recipe card or pre-measured ingredients that are placed inside any of our baking kit call for or include nuts of any kind. But some of these ingredients have been produced in a facility that also processes nuts, soy, sesame seeds, and gluten. So it's very possible that trace amounts of these potential allergens may be found in some of our baking kit ingredients.

Can I send a pretzel baking kit as a gift?

No recipe card or pre-measured ingredients that are placed inside any of our baking kit call for or include nuts of any kind. But some of these ingredients have been produced in a facility that also processes nuts, soy, sesame seeds, and gluten. So it's very possible that trace amounts of these potential allergens may be found in some of our baking kit ingredients.

What age should a child start cooking?

No recipe card or pre-measured ingredients that are placed inside any of our baking kit call for or include nuts of any kind. But some of these ingredients have been produced in a facility that also processes nuts, soy, sesame seeds, and gluten. So it's very possible that trace amounts of these potential allergens may be found in some of our baking kit ingredients.

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