Seeing the world through a child's eyes as a kids life coach

Children's perceptions of challenges can vary widely based on their developmental stage, personality, and past experiences. A a Kids Life Coach, acknowledging and validating these feelings is the cornerstone of the effective support you provide. Whether facing academic difficulties, social conflicts, or transitions such as moving to a new school, each challenge presents a unique learning opportunity. 

Having coached children for well over two decades, I have come to learn a lot about what excites them, how they think and why they behave in certain ways for different reasons. One of the super powers you will need to master as a Kids Life Coach is seeing the world through a child's eyes. Doing this will get the results you need quicker than you would if you keep your "adult problem solving hat" on. 

Children are beyond wise and when we look and see what others don't see and we listen and hear what other's don't hear, we are on our path to coaching a child towards being the leader of their own life. My top 5 tips for doing this relies on: 

1. Fostering Open Communication: Encourage children to express their feelings and thoughts about the challenges they face. This doesn't mean that your coaching sessions are a space for complaining but rather, your active listening demonstrates that their concerns are both valid and important. This is one of the corner stones to building confidence in a child and when you really listen without trying to solve, you will see the magic happen.

2. Collaborative Problem-Solving: Rather than offering solutions, guide children through the process of identifying and evaluating possible solutions. Questions like, "What do you think could be a good approach?" promotes critical thinking and self-reliance. This depends on you stepping into their shoes and seeing the world through their eyes rather than trying to enforce what you think they may need. 

3. Model Resilience:  Sharing stories of your own personal challenges is not a weakness. As a Kids Life Coach, you are in a unique position to share your own strategies used to overcome problems, highlighting the importance of perseverance and a positive mindset. This not only provides a relatable example but also reinforces the learning experience. Don't be scared to be vulnerable but be careful in doing it professionally at the right time and in the right measures. 

4. Celebrate Effort Over Outcome: Recognize and praise children for their determination and effort in facing challenges. This approach values the learning process and the development of grit over the achievement of specific outcomes. 

5. Introduce Stress-Management Techniques: Coaching children to use simple yet effective techniques for managing stress, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or engaging in physical activity are priceless. These tools are invaluable for helping children regain a sense of calm and control but let them choose the direction this takes. Let them design their own plan of action and guide them to stay on track. 

As we guide children through the process of overcoming challenges, let's remind them—and ourselves—that each obstacle is an opportunity for growth. By celebrating every step forward and learning from each setback, we contribute to the development of resilient, confident young people prepared to face the future.

Seeing the world through a child's eyes is one of the most significant skills you can master as a Kids Life Coach and for this reason I believe that as Kids Life Coaches, we should never forget to play and have fun in our own life. Tapping into our own inner child allows us to see the world through a child's eyes!