By Shirley Carlson, La Crescenta Presbyterian Church, California
"Today's children are tomorrow's leaders, especially if those children have parents who are leaders." One could also say today's leaders are often the result of a childhood where they had the opportunity to learn leadership skills. To learn more ways to help your child learn these skills, check out this article.
Helping your child build up his confidence is important. Children and teens can be exposed to opportunities that will help him or her become more self assured and willing to take on leadership opportunities. I believe my leadership skills came largely from activities I was involved with as a teenager which included being an officer in my youth group, opportunities to teach/ help with Sunday School, working on committees and projects at school. and being a junior leader in 4-H. Find five tips to help youth develop leadership skills here.
Sports are also a good place to learn leadership skills. This article has sound advice even if your child is not involved in sports.
LOGOS is an excellent place for your child to learn leadership skills, particularly as a result of mentoring from older generations. Many LOGOS programs have leaders who grew up in LOGOS. One church in Maryland has at least five adults in leadership roles that were in LOGOS as children or youth.
I encourage you to get involved in LOGOS or some other child or youth friendly activity, and show your child the qualities it takes to become a leader.