Every parent feels their child is destined for greatness. We know in our hearts our kids have so much potential – we just have to help them cement their foundations and their futures will be bright.
As parents, we try to set them on the right path. We try to give them all the tools they need to be ‘great’, from emotional support to providing all their material needs for success at school (hello, back-to-school haul). As one of the greatest minds of history Albert Einstein said, “Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think” – and it’s our job to provide the resources for that.
But what we can’t always anticipate is what our kids see for themselves in the future. Yes, they want to achieve great things, but what does that exactly mean to their young minds? How do they define ‘greatness’ – and what do they think they need to do to achieve it?
We asked seven kids how they view ‘greatness’, and their answers are as illuminating as they are inspirational.
Hugo, 11.
"Greatness is a good leader. They would be kind.
Maybe Napoleon, who was a leader during the war - although I don’t know much more about him.
And Nelson Mandela, because he didn’t like the way some people were put at a higher level and he decided to make a change."
Gretel, 7.
"Greatness is being yourself and being strong!"
Ben, 9.
"Greatness is being brave.
And saying no to your friends when they are saying mean things."
Emma, 5.
"Greatness would be being kind, obedient and nice.
And behaving at kindy so I don't end up on the thinking mat. I am never on the thinking mat, so YES, I am great.
Adults have to be kind so they don’t go to the thinking mat too."
Daisy, 10.
“Greatness is having family and friends and to achieve that you need to be nice and kind and keep your hopes up.”
Alfie, 8.
"Greatness means having a good time. And to achieve it, I have to behave and be good."
Winston, 11.
"Greatness is a feeling. You feel greatness when you achieve something. That happiness feeling when you do that - that's really what greatness means."
As we get into back-to-school season for 2019, let's support our kids on their unique paths to greatness - whether it involves Nelson Mandela, Napoleon or a thinking mat.
Do you have a future CEO? Take the quiz below and you may get a glimpse into your child’s future greatness
This content was brought to you with thanks by our brand partner, Big W.