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Principles and Mindsets for Guiding Children Through Uncertainty and New Adventures

Posted by The Contributing Writer on

A new adventure or any type of uncertainty in the future can be hard to face at any age, and sometimes even more so for those still learning about life. Having the guidance provided by strong principles or fresh mindsets can make a difference in taking the next step into the unknown.

Here is what 7 thought leaders had to say.

Curiosity and Courage Beat Certainty in Classrooms

The most profound takeaway I’ve had teaching children and families how to honour their uncertainties is that embracing the process of ‘not knowing’ is more powerful than being able to give answers to all of their questions.

Something Legacy has embraced is what I call ‘curiosity & courage’. The combination of these mind-sets allows us to have a sense of wonder and ask ourselves “What if we try this?” while also having the confidence to move forward anyway, even when we may not know how it will turn out. When children realise that not knowing is part of the learning process, they begin to relax and be more open to the experience. The research supports that having a supportive and inquiring environment provides a greater sense of resilience for young learners than a more pressure/performance orientated style of teaching.

Another great principle that we embrace is regulation before instruction. If a child’s nervous system is activated due to pressure/change/uncertainty, the learning will not stick. We encourage parents and educators to take time out first to create a safe environment to explore together. This takes the focus off of finishing the task and places the emphasis on gaining confidence during the process.

The ultimate goal in supporting children on new adventures is not to dwell on the fear of ‘not knowing’, but rather, embrace it as a possibility. When adults model calm and curiosity (rather than assuring children of their own certainty), then children will build their own trust in themselves.

Vasilii Kiselev, CEO & Co-Founder, Legacy Online School

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Teach Kids Curiosity Over Perfect Plans

Running a startup taught me that plans aren’t worth much. I’ve seen projects pivot overnight. The people who succeed aren’t the ones with all the right answers, but the ones who can figure things out when everything changes. We should show kids the same thing. It’s okay not to know everything, as long as you stay curious and keep asking questions.

Andrew Yan, Co-Founder and CEO, AthenaHQ

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Bilingual Freedom Sparks Curiosity, Eases Fear

I work with kids in bilingual classrooms. When we let them use both Spanish and their native language to share ideas, they loosen up. They start to see there isn’t just one “right” answer. This way of thinking doesn’t fix everything, but it does help them try new things without being scared. They get curious instead of afraid.

Carmen Jordan Fernandez, Academic Director, The Spanish Council of Singapore

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Let Curiosity Lead; Mistakes Drive Real Growth

You know what works? Letting people explore instead of just giving them the answer. When I’m figuring out a new tech product or showing a client a new tool, the people who aren’t afraid to break something always discover more. They learn as they go. So tell the kids, and the rest of us, to just try. It’s fine to mess up. That’s how you actually learn.

Branden Shortt, Founder & Product Advisor, The Informr

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Tackle the Next Step, Not the Mess

I was helping a family sell their parents’ house and things kept going wrong. I told them to just handle the next problem, not the whole mess at once. They actually relaxed after that. That’s what I’ve learned through all this. You just take it one step at a time, no matter how old you are.

Lawrence Irby, President, Bay Area House Buyer

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Pair Routine With Choice; Praise Effort Over Results

Stability coupled with option provides the children with a stability during uncertainty. Routine brings about a feeling of safety, and little decisions within the routine bring about confidence. The choice in the sequence of activities or the style to follow a new activity is a lesson in control with no pressure. The other orientation theme is the focus on effort rather than results. Adults labeling what they are doing like making a second attempt after two minutes or seeking assistance will make improvements visible. Errors at that point are reported rather than being humiliating. Language is also silent. When things are described to be unfamiliar as opposed to being scary, the emotional weight is cut. With time, children get to know that uncertainty is usually an indicator of learning in the future and slow strides tend to take them much further than a hasty response.

Wayne Lowry, Interim CEO, Sunny Glen Children’s Home

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Frame Uncertainty as Skill; Call Mistakes Data

One helpful skill is thinking about uncertainty as a skill rather than a threat. With children, I have used the example of explaining new situations as “experiments” rather than “tests” as a way to reduce fear. You put in the effort, watch, and then adjust. 

I also encourage children when they feel lost, explaining to them that it is totally acceptable as long as they keep moving forward. Children are more willing to take reasonable risks if they know that mistakes are just data points. Finally, calmness is contagious. Adults act in certain ways, and children notice this more than they listen to what the adults say.

Arsen Misakyan, CEO and Founder, LAXcar

About Our Contributor

A woman with long brown hair and glasses smiles at the camera, set against a soft, light background with a hint of a modern workspace.

Lindsey Flagg is a professional content creator with a passion for writing, music, and making the world a better place. She holds a B.A. in Communication from Purdue University and has over 12 years of experience in digital communications. In her free time, she enjoys language learning, reading, and discovering new music.

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About Noah’s Quest® Insights

Hey there, friends! This is 11-year-old Noah from the book of Sev Emanuel Pretila, Noah’s Quest®. Welcome to Noah’s Quest® Insights! This is the spot where super-smart grown-ups (and some pretty cool kids with adult help) share their best ideas to make family time extra special. Think of it like a treasure map packed with all kinds of ways to have fun, learn new things, and go on big adventures—together! Whether it’s finding your next favorite book, making something awesome, or just discovering cool ways to connect, Noah’s Quest® Insights is here to help.

Every article is made for families with kids 12 and under, just like me, and it’s all about making life more fun, creative, and full of wholesome adventure. So grab your imagination, your adult (if you’re a kid like me), and let’s go exploring!

Read my story, too!

Noah's Quest by Sev

Did you know that before the Noah’s Quest and Friends Fave Book Award, the blog, or the awards program, there was a book all about me? Yup, I’m the main character in an awesome story by Sev Emanuel Pretila! It’s called Noah’s Quest. If you’re curious about how it all began and want to read my adventure, you’ve got to check it out. You’ll love it—I pinky promise! Adventure is waiting! Visit the About the Book page to get started.

– Noah from Noah’s Quest by Sev Emanuel Pretila

P.S. The book is just 99 cents on Amazon today! Hurry! Check it out here. Thanks!

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Published by The Contributing Writer

This article was written by a guest contributor. Our contributing writers bring unique perspectives, specialized expertise, and fresh insights to the topics that matter most to our readers. Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of our entire platform.

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