Characteristics of the Marshmallow Generation
Parents have inadvertently removed the capacity for these children to develop resilience and the ability to face, overcome and be strengthened by adversity. Children are hindered from learning to associate effort with outcome and the important ability of making their own decisions based on sound consideration, instead of making reactive decisions based on peer pressure.
Leading child and adolescent psychologist Dr Carr-Gregg says that the result will be a generation of young people who struggle to assume adult responsibility, “They will have no idea how to handle the routine challenges of life, making them risk-averse, psychologically anemic and riddled with fragility and anxiety”.
Such children will live in an unrealistic world where they believe they are entitled to a life in which no one upsets them, and cannot tolerate any challenges to their minds and bodies. Like marshmallows, they are soft and will easily melt under the pressure of ‘gentle roasting’.
Grounding helicopter parents
So what can be done? The first thing is for helicopter parents to be grounded. Allow and encourage children to explore and to test the limits of their physical, emotional and mental abilities. This can be done through age appropriate, risk-managed experiential learning activities like outdoor sports, summer camps and life skill classes. These managed levels of risk give children a chance to stretch themselves, test and verify their skills without exposing themselves to unacceptable risks. Children directly learn the consequences of their actions and choices and through this a deeper understanding of their abilities and competencies.
Ms Jo-Ann Ho, Director of Learning and Development & Academy of High Achievers explains:
“It is imperative that we inculcate in these children the concept that it is O.K to have tried and failed but not trying for fear of failure would be short-changing themselves of their full potential”.
Sign your children up for D.A.R.E
The High Achievers D.A.R.E camp programmes are designed to address age-appropriate issues through experiential learning. Children are challenged to get out of their comfort zone and explore their potential within a safe and structured environment, guided by our experienced trainers.
Specially designed outdoor activities impacts powerfully upon these young children’s intellectual, physical, social and moral development. The great deal of intrinsic enjoyment and satisfaction to be experienced from participation in outdoor activities further reinforces our coaching message.
Encouraging a positive “opting in” and ‘can do’ attitude, young children’s horizons are broadened, new challenges come to be relished rather than shunned, and perseverance and determination are reinforced. Values and attitudes developed in a context of shared endeavor help to form a sound basis for a responsible child.
About Jo-Ann Ho
Jo-Ann is a Principal Training Consultant with Genesis Education Holding Pte Ltd and currently the Director of the Learning and Development and Academy of High Achievers (APAC).
She holds a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Marketing with the Monash University in Australia. Jo-Ann possesses a Certificate of Leadership from the Leadership Training College in Australia and an Advance Certificate in Training & Assessment Certification (ACTA) from STADA.
She is also a certified consultant for the DISC Personality Profiling System, a certified On-the-Job-Training (OJT) consultant, a certified trainer for the whole suite of Critical Enabling Skills programmes (CREST) and an Accredited Facilitator for Celemi Business Simulation Programmes.