Reflecting Good Back to Children: Why Naming What They Do Right Matters

When people tell us about the good stuff we do, it increases our knowledge about ourselves

The other day I was sitting on a chair and it broke. One of those moments that catches you completely off guard.

My grandson's first reaction? He stopped his game mid-play and ran straight over to me.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

No prompting. No reminders. Just pure, instinctive care.

The next time I saw him with his mum, I made sure to tell them both exactly what he had done. That moment deserved to be named out loud. When we reflect the good back to a child, we're giving them something precious: a clearer picture of who they already are.

You are someone who stops what you're doing when another person needs you.

That's a powerful thing to know about yourself. Building children’s self-awareness is a good thing to do regularly.

It's the same idea I had in mind when I wrote Through Greta's Eyes. Greta notices things. She pays attention to the natural world around her — the trees, the light, the walk with her mum. In the photo she is reading her book, and finding out that she does have a voice, and she can make change..

So when I asked Tania @littleshopof_crochet to create Greta doll, I thought my next blog about her would be her reading and learning about herself, and all the good things she does.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all got to do that a little more often and build other’s self-awareness?

Who is a child in your life who could use a moment of being reflected back to themselves this week?

If this resonated, you might love Through Greta's Eyes — a picture book about noticing, nature, and finding your voice.