Neuro Linguistic Programming for Kids

India is a land of believers. A great number of Indians make their lives using the strength of their beliefs or break their lives due to flawed beliefs. Some beliefs are more harmful than others. Like, for instance, illogical beliefs that are used to determine the future of our children. Their futures are not ours to play with, and we have the immense responsibility to use logic and rigor while helping them decide their vocation of choice. Neuro Linguistic Programming for kids is one such program where they get to experience powerful beliefs for themselves and learn and design strategies and set goals for the future.

Even today, many of us in India feel compelled to consult our astrologer, pundit or some other revered guru figure before making crucial life decisions. These people tell us whom we should get married to and what profession we must undertake. Who knows how many Virat Kohlis never got to pursue their dream careers because of an illogical approach to career planning?

In the modern age, the problem is compounded by the emergence of concepts that sound scientific but are new forms of superstitions. One system claims to divine the most suitable careers for a child by studying his or her fingerprints. The process uses computer algorithms and sophisticated-looking reports, but the result is no more accurate than palmistry. It just costs more. A lot more.

Even many “assessment” reports that claim to determine the child’s IQ, EQ, strengths, and weaknesses, etc may not be scientific. Only a few players in the market devise accurate assessment tests. Fewer still know how to scientifically interpret the results of these tests.

With so much confusion in the air, it is no surprise that established NLP Coaches get dozens of calls from super-anxious parents of adolescent children. They usually want somebody to wave a magic wand and reveal to them what their children are best suited to do. We coaches have to be patient while answering these calls. We try and educate them about NLP and Peak Performance Coaching. For us, this call is an opportunity to help them make better choices on behalf of their children, instead of dooming them into unsuitable vocations.  The irony here is that these very parents were denied the careers of their choice because somebody else used some unscientific tools to decide on their behalf.  There is not much difference between an NLP program for kids, and an NLP Practitioner program, as the content and methodology of delivery is similar.  In fact, most of these NLP programs are now being offered as online NLP programs.

The good news is that helping our children using Neuro Linguistic Programming for kids is quite simple:

• Create a learning environment

Every book opens up a new world of possibilities for a kid. Books not only enhance knowledge but also empower children to think outside the box. To think for themselves. And children raised in a rich learning environment will, over some time, learn to leverage the resources available to them to create the best possible outcomes.

• Help them form better beliefs

The only beliefs that have a true hold on us are beliefs about ourselves. Do we consider ourselves capable or not? Do we believe ourselves to have potential, or do we believe we are not good enough?

Breaking negative beliefs and setting powerful beliefs – the way an NLP program would do – must happen before one decides upon any future path.

• Teach them about consequences

Children must have the freedom to make choices and they must know that every choice they make has consequences – positive, negative or both. Modern parents try to shield children from consequences, thereby weakening them. But children who learn from their failures, and accept failure as an integral part of life, do better. If they decide to follow their heart and become, say, a musician, they will know that financial uncertainties are a part of their landscape.

In conclusion

As parents, we do our children a disservice when we ask the stars to reveal their futures. Instead, we can ask our children to aim for the stars and be the best versions of themselves. That journey becomes possible through a specific kind of belief.  Self-belief!

Neuro Linguistic Programming for kids can be experienced in our flagship NLP Practitioner program where every child gets to experience their potential, connect with their true self, and learn strategies to design a life they want for themselves.