As parents, we all dream of our children being successful, and in pursuit of achieving that, we try to do all that we can to help them rise to their full potential – whether it is encouraging them to achieve academic success or ensuring that they follow their passion by way of extracurricular activities. Indeed, all of this has a role in the child’s growth. However, if you sit and introspect on what is that one factor that can set the child up for success, the answer has to be the shaping of the child’s personality to its full potential. What is personality development, you ask? For that, let us first begin with a simple definition of personality.
Personality refers to a collection of characteristics that make a person unique, including how they think, feel, and behave. Personality development, therefore, is the process of developing and improving the characteristics that make up a person’s personality, such as their thoughts, behaviours, and attitudes.
In recent years, there has been an increased understanding of the role of a well-rounded personality in a child’s journey. A well-developed personality enhances a child’s chances of success—whether it is to enhance career prospects, help him build enduring relationships, or more. It also helps the child tackle the many curve balls life may throw at him and emerge unscathed. Let us dive deep into the importance of personality development.
Table of Contents
Enhancing Confidence
The first, and perhaps the most critical aspect of personality development is the fact that the child begins to feel confident in his own skin. In turn, this confidence helps them be vocal with their thoughts, have the courage to take the necessary steps towards achieving their dreams, and forge meaningful relationships.
Effective Communication
The importance of effective communication, whether in personal or professional relationships, cannot be overstated. Whether it is expressing your point of view, carrying out effective negotiation, or more, the right communication skills are paramount. The ability to express your point of view effectively can open many doors. Communication, of course, does not only mean the use of words but also tone of voice, body language, and more. Personality development involves honing these communication skills to keep the child in good stead.
Emotional Intelligence
Traditionally, we have placed a lot of importance on IQ or Intelligence Quotient, often at the cost of Emotional Quotient or what is popularly known as EQ. Simply put, Emotional Intelligence is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. It is when the child is in touch with his or her feelings and can empathise with the emotions of others that he or she can build healthy relationships and also resolve conflicts effectively. Needless to say, such children have the capacity to thrive in different settings and can interact with a wide variety of people.
Resilience
We live in a VUCA world where things are changing at a breakneck speed. As they say, change is the only constant. For children who grow up with a fixed mindset, therefore, adapting to changes can prove to be quite difficult. On the other hand, with a growth mindset, children can develop resilience and adaptability. A well-rounded personality allows children to handle setbacks without being overwhelmed and also to embrace change. Effective decision-making and problem-solving are also some life skills that are learnt by way of personality development that help students make sense of an ever-changing world.
Teamwork and leadership
A well-rounded personality allows the individual to work cohesively with others and to lead people effectively. This has a positive effect on career development and growth, as the individual needs to lead teams successfully.
The benefits of a well-rounded personality are well established. Let us also take a look at some of the ways that can aid in personality development:
How to Improve Personality; Personality Development Tips
Diverse Experiences
One of the most recommended things to help children develop well-rounded personalities is to ensure exposure to diverse experiences. Get them to explore different interests, meet new people, develop new skills and more. All of this will have a positive rub-off on their overall confidence.
Life Skills
It is imperative that children are offered opportunities to develop important life skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, and more. Offering children age-appropriate choices and getting them to help with chores are only some of the ways that you can help them develop these life skills. In turn, this will positively impact their self-esteem and confidence.
Lead by Example
Children learn far more from what they see modelled before them than from what they are told to do. Therefore, ensure that you model effective traits in front of children. They will learn from your empathetic behaviour towards others, from the fact that you can make effective decisions without being overwhelmed in the face of challenges, from witnessing that you can resolve conflicts effectively, and more.
To Sum Up
Personality development is clearly an ongoing process. Done well, it can become the secret sauce that helps children not just survive but thrive in life. Whether it is interacting with people or finding effective solutions to problems, the way that their personality has shaped them helps children deal with issues.
At Pragyanam, one of the leading CBSE schools in Gurgaon, we are invested in children’s overall development. Our Life skills-based curriculum teaches students effective life skills such as communication, decision-making, problem-solving, coping with emotions, and more, which help them navigate the ups and downs of life with ease. Feel free to visit our website for more information about our ethos, life skills-based education, details on school admission, and more.
Here’s to raising a resilient generation!
