2025/09/17 Learning the Power of Starting from Children: Watching the Courage to Take the First Step

2025/09/17

A refreshing, clear autumn morning has spread since dawn.
The forecast says it will still be a summer-like day, but there is a hint of coolness mixed into the breeze.

Both my body and mind feel a bit swayed by the temperature difference this time of year.

It is the day of cheerleading where my second daughter begins learning a new skill.
I, too, felt a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

For children, taking on a new skill is a big step. The joy of being able to witness that moment and a small worry about whether it will go well were crossing in my heart.

Growth seen in individual basic practice

My second daughter tried practicing a round-off for the first time.
Even though she can do a cartwheel with momentum, she is struggling more than expected to bring her legs together.

But watching her give it her all, I feel once again that there is growth that can only be gained through repeated practice.

Seeing her fall, stand up while laughing, and try again, I whisper to myself,“Practice is everything.”The older girls' team, including my eldest daughter, was doing reinforcement practice for basics and acrobatics. Watching the instruction, I realized that basics are indeed important.

The time spent repeating basics might look boring, but it is precisely because of that time that skills are polished.

I think the children are learning through experience that behind flashy skills lies the accumulation of steady, basic practice.

In the parents' seating area, the moms in the same grade were talking about things like, “How much kanji practice do they do?” and “Do they read aloud every day?”

When asked about the reason for my eldest daughter's high scores, I talked about the review workbooks we did during summer vacation. I truly feel that that time is what is leading to her current confidence.

Knowing it but not being able to do it
How to cross that wall

On the way home from cheerleading, I was thinking about the difficulty of“taking the first step.”Watching the children, I feel once again the importance of “starting.” Even if you have the motivation, it is common for adults, too, to take time before taking that first step.

I understand the importance, but I just can't get moving.

I have many such moments myself.
Watching my second daughter's round-off practice, I realized something.

It is not about whether you can do it or not, but that it starts from “just trying it” first.
My eldest daughter's kanji results also came from the fact that we started during summer vacation by saying,

“Let's just try it.”Helping them make a small start might be even more important.Once you try it, it often continues longer than you thought, and a small sense of achievement leads to the next step. The way the children were practicing seemed to be teaching me that starting point.

Changes that begin from a small start

Supporting the moment of starting is an important role I can play as a parent.

A word of encouragement like “Give it a try,” or preparing the initial tools. Just with that, children naturally start moving.

That applies to me as well. Instead of seeking big changes, it is about accumulating the small steps I can take now. I think it is important how I give myself the trigger to get moving.

Without aiming for perfection,try taking one step first..
That courage might bring about unexpected changes.

What is something you want to get moving on?

I hope we can start from a small step and enjoy the view we see from there together.

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If you feel that way, please check this out too.

▶︎ When you look back on your own childhood,
　what kind of feelings do you have?

▶︎ Rather than a special day,
　a cup of coffee today is the real luxury♪

Please start with whatever interests you♪

Thank you so much
for reading until the end!
I am always grateful for your warm likes and comments.

The step until “starting” is precious, even if it is small.
For both children and adults, that is where the next possibility expands.

Without pushing too hard, little by little.
Let's take another small step tomorrow, too.
Well then, see you again!