Leadership Activities for Kids:
Part 2 of 2

Leadership activities for kids is a great way for parents to teach key leadership strategies and lessons in a fun and informative way. While personal experience helps to form who we become, taking a proactive approach to teach kids valuable life lessons early on increases their chances for success..

Concerned parents understand that not all of what’s done or observed is the proper example for their children to learn. Therefore, taking an active role in planting seeds to form their values and ideals is an important responsibility.

So it’s important to teach kids leadership skills and practices based on the best of what they have already done or seen.

Leadership activities for kids provide clear examples that role model and reinforce good behavior and teach effective leadership skills.

Leadership activities for kids are available to parents every day in multiple ways. Parents simply need to be looking for the countless opportunities to mentor their child.

You may have the saying, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." The same can be said for parents.  

Parents, the above quote is meant to remind you that in order for you to effectively mentor your child in leadership development, you too must proactively study and practice the art of leadership in your own daily life. The great news is that their is an unlimited supply of ideas for leadership activities for kids. You just need to begin seeking out relative tools and resources.

We'll get you started right now.

Top Leadership Activities for Kids

One of our favorite leadership activities for kids is the 'Best-of-the-Best' exercise.

Take about ten minutes to talk with your child about a personal best experience – something they worked very hard to achieve and ultimately succeeded. Or, you can ask your child to identify a personal best someone else achieved.

1. Remember a time when you did your best. Write a very brief description of the situation and your personal experience. State clearly what was ultimately accomplished.



2. Think about your best-of-the-best experience in more detail. Use the space provided below to break down the top seven things you did as a leader. (Hint: refer back to the top 7 leadership skills you read about in Part 1 of this article for guidance.)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.


3. What words best describe the experience? (E.g, productive, positive, effective, smart, driven, determined, persistent, collaborated, teamwork, great communication, etc.)



4. Personalize the experience in your child’s own words. What does he/she believe the major leadership lessons are that can be shared from this experience? Help the child to effectively tell their story in order to impart ownership of the experience upon the child.



5. The final step to most leadership activities for kids should be to help them understand that these great outcomes can be replicated by simply adopting their best-of-the-best key attributes as a way to live their life. Discuss the need for kids to practice leadership skills in order to make those leadership skills into personal habits. Repetition is truly the mother of skill. Doing the right things over and over with passion and purpose will help to ensure skills become fully developed.

As stated earlier, leadership lessons for kids are all around you.  All you have to do is begin your search to identify additional great ideas. 

For example, the following article, written by Karin Hurt and David Dye provides 11 Ways to Develop Leadership Skills in Children.  

Don't make the mistake of assuming leaders are born. While some children demonstrate leadership qualities earlier than others, every kid has the potential to be an effective leader. By making time to teach and coach your child on the benefits of leadership development you will assist your child in having a more positive and successful life. 

More Leadership Articles

View All Article Links