Top 5 Ways to Raise a Brave and Bold Kid
In today’s ever-changing world, raising children who are courageous and confident is more important than ever. Boldness empowers them to face challenges head-on, and bravery gives them the resilience to overcome obstacles. So, how can you cultivate these traits in your child? Here are five practical tips to help raise a brave and bold kid.
1. Encourage Risk-Taking
Instead of teaching your child to avoid risks in the name of safety, encourage them to focus on doing things safely. When kids are taught to steer clear of challenges for fear of danger, they may become overly cautious and miss opportunities to grow. However, teaching them how to approach new situations with caution and care allows them to take action while managing risk.
For example, rather than saying “Don’t climb that tree, it’s dangerous,” say “Make sure you have a good grip and steady footing while climbing.” This mindset promotes bravery and confidence, showing them they can still take risks as long as they do it safely.
My wife and I regularly climb mountains, facing both physical and mental challenges with determination. Before each of our early adventures, my mom would say, “Have fun. Be safe.” I’d always respond, “I can’t do both, so I will safely have as much fun as possible climbing this mountain.” That balance between safety and safely is where real courage comes in—taking risks while being smart about them. My mom is very encouraging in our risk-taking—although I think she’s still a little nervous every time we climb.
Encouraging your child to embrace challenges doesn’t mean teaching them to ignore danger; it means inspiring them to face it head-on, prepared, and with a sense of adventure. Just like climbing a mountain, life’s challenges require courage, awareness, and confidence to keep moving forward. When they learn to navigate risks safely, they’ll discover that the greatest rewards come from pushing beyond their comfort zone, armed with both caution and excitement for the journey ahead.
2. Praise Effort, Not Just Results
Instead of focusing solely on outcomes, praise the effort your child puts into trying. Recognize their effort, even when they fail, to teach that bravery is about trying, not just succeeding. When kids are only rewarded for results, they may fear failure and avoid challenges altogether. By celebrating their persistence and hard work, you’re teaching them that bravery isn’t just about winning or being perfect—it’s about the courage to try, learn, and grow.
Acknowledging effort encourages them to keep pushing through difficulties, knowing that the process itself is valuable, regardless of the outcome. Imagine your child is training for a big track competition—running sprints and practicing daily. Instead of waiting until after the race to offer praise, encourage them throughout their training: “I’m really proud of how hard you’re pushing yourself each day—you’re showing so much dedication!” This reinforces their hard work and commitment during the process, not just at the finish line. If you wait until after the race, especially if they don’t win, praising them might feel like you’re compensating for the disappointment. By praising their effort along the way, you show them that their perseverance and growth matter more than the final result.
3. Model Courage
Children absorb what they see—they best learn by example. By modeling courage in your own life, you show them that bravery isn’t about having no fear, but about facing challenges despite being afraid.
I can remember hearing a leader at a conference say that courage isn’t the absence of fear—courage is doing it in spite of the fear. You don’t have to hide your fears from your kids. Let them see the fear. This will reinforce the value and power of courage.
Share your experiences of stepping outside your comfort zone, whether it’s tackling a difficult project, standing up for what’s right, or trying something new. When your kid sees you acting with courage, they’re more likely to internalize that same attitude and approach life’s obstacles with boldness. Show them that courage is moving forward despite fear.
4. Foster Independence
Give your child opportunities to make decisions and solve problems on their own. Allowing your child to make decisions and solve problems independently is key to building their bravery. Instead of solving everything for them, encourage them to think through their choices and navigate challenges on their own. Whether it’s deciding what to wear, solving a problem with a friend, or handling a small responsibility, these moments help them feel capable and confident.
This is something my parents did really well. They provided us with opportunities to make decisions—good and bad. Did I make some poor decisions? Absolutely! Will your kids make poor decisions? You betcha! However, in my experience, the younger you start allowing for some freedom in decision-making, the sooner kids learn to make wise decisions.
As they practice independence, they’ll develop the courage to take on bigger challenges, knowing they can trust in their own abilities. The more control they have over their lives, the more confident and brave they’ll feel.
5. Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity
Teach your child that failure is not something to fear, but an opportunity to learn. When children are afraid to fail, they may shy away from risks and challenges.
When my nephew was younger, my brother and I took him on a challenging day hike in Arkansas while we were section hiking the Ouachita Trail. After the first big climb, he was miserable and wanted to quit. Instead of letting him give up, we talked through what worked and what didn’t, helping him see how he could improve. After this adventurous lesson, his entire confidence shifted in all areas of his life. He realized that he could push himself through discomfort and pain. He ended up completing several more trips with us—completing a significant portion of the entire trail. Today, he’s a stud athlete, but it all started with that experience of pushing through a tough challenge and learning from it.
Help your child reframe mistakes as valuable lessons—when they stumble, ask what they learned and how they can improve next time. This mindset builds resilience and the bravery to keep trying, even when things don’t go perfectly the first time. It shows them that setbacks aren’t the end but part of the journey to success.
Conclusion
Raising a brave and bold child doesn’t happen overnight, but by consistently encouraging independence, resilience, and courage, you’re equipping them with the tools they need to thrive. These qualities will not only help them face challenges but also empower them to lead and inspire others throughout their lives.
As an award-winning children’s author, I’ve written several books designed to empower kids to face challenges head-on. My picture book series, Mighty Max, is designed to help younger kids overcome their fears by following Max’s bold adventures—from going to the doctor to facing scary storms. To explore this series and learn more about all of my books, check out my Amazon author page.