The learning methods and training details of Harvard's top students

Chapter 34 Encourage children to be brave, and only then can they hope to win the crown of life (1)
(Harvard Representative: Franklin Roosevelt) No words can replace actions.And even if a person makes a small progress, he needs to step forward with his own feet.But before you step out, don't assume that there is an abyss ahead.

— Roger Bragg, professor at Harvard University
【Wonderful Guide】

Roosevelt Biography

Franklin Roosevelt (1882-1945), the 32nd president of the United States, was born in New York and graduated from Harvard University. In 1910, he served as a New York State Senator, and in 1913, he served as Undersecretary of the Navy. In 1921, he was disabled by polio. He was governor of New York in 1928 and won the presidential election in 1932.After taking power, he used the "New Deal" to deal with the economic crisis, which was quite effective, so he was re-elected in the 1936, 1940, and 1944 general elections.

Roosevelt is the only disabled president in the history of the United States. He broke the convention that the president of the United States cannot be re-elected for more than two terms. He established an image of perseverance, wit and perseverance, and created an unprecedented record in the United States. 12 years.

His administration was instrumental in the emergence of a truly modern American society.He is a shrewd politician, whether in peacetime or in wartime, he can make himself invincible; in the United States, he saved the American people from misery and economic depression, and established a welfare state model.

In the early days of World War II, although the United States adopted a policy of non-intervention, Roosevelt took tough measures against Hitler and supported the Allies with the "Lend-Lease Law". At the end of 1941, the United States entered the war.Roosevelt represented the United States twice in the "Big Three" meetings of the Allies.The Roosevelt administration put forward the principle that the Axis powers must surrender unconditionally and it was implemented.Roosevelt's idea of ​​establishing the United Nations has also been realized.

【Character Story】

president in a wheelchair
Roosevelt was a very timid and unconfident little boy when he was a child. He also considered himself the most unfortunate child in the world, because he suffered from polio and left a lame leg and jagged and protruding teeth. Make him very depressed.He seldom played or played with his classmates, and when the teacher asked him to answer questions, he always kept his head down and said nothing.In the eyes of his classmates, he is a timid and cowardly person.

One spring, Roosevelt's father brought some saplings from a neighbor's house, and he wanted to plant them in front of the house.He told his children to plant a tree each.And said to the children, whoever plants the saplings grow the best will buy him the most beautiful gift.Roosevelt also wanted a gift from his father, but when he saw his brothers and sisters bouncing around watering the trees, he somehow had a gloomy idea: he had no confidence in himself, and hoped that the tree he planted would die. After a few days, he was surprised to find that the tree he planted not only did not wither, but also grew a few new leaves. Compared with the tree planted by his brothers and sisters, it looked greener and more lively.Father fulfilled his promise, bought Roosevelt one of his favorite gifts, and told him that judging from the trees he planted, he would definitely become an excellent botanist when he grew up.At night, Roosevelt lay in bed and couldn't sleep. Looking at the bright moonlight outside the window, he suddenly remembered what his biology teacher said, "Plants generally grow at night." Why don't you go and see the small tree you planted?When he came to the yard lightly, he saw his father splashing something with a spoon under the tree he planted.Suddenly, he understood everything. It turned out that his father had been secretly fertilizing the little tree he planted!He returned to the room, letting the tears flow wantonly...

Decades later, although Roosevelt did not become a botanist, he became the President of the United States.In fact, his father used this method to arouse the courage and confidence of Roosevelt Jr., which made him bravely persevere in the face of various difficulties, and eventually became a president admired by people.

【Harvard view】

If you lose your bravery, you lose everything

Bravery is a psychological quality of courage.As Goethe said: "If you lose your property - you only lose a little; if you lose your honor - you lose a lot; if you lose your bravery - you lose everything." Bravery as a This precious personality quality is very important for the healthy growth of a person's life.Children with brave qualities generally have the following characteristics:
1. Cheerful and straightforward, dare to speak and act
They can communicate with others normally, without psychological barriers, and they are not indecisive or hesitant in doing things; they are more efficient in learning; they dare to express their opinions in front of adults, and are more admired by their peers.When others encounter difficulties, they can be brave and helpful, showing a lofty sense of morality.Their bravery is different from recklessness, roughness, and showing off. They often show wit, flexibility, composure, and calmness.

2. Be strong-willed and enterprising

In the face of difficulties, they are much more tenacious than ordinary children.A child once wrote in his diary: "It's not terrible to fall, what's terrible is that you can't get up after you fall down; the turbulent waves are not terrible, what's terrible is that you lose your composure in front of the turbulent waves. You know, in the midst of hope and disappointment In a duel, if you face the challenge with courage, then victory must belong to hope." This is written by a child with a brave character. From this sentence, we can see what he has done in the face of difficulties in study and life. The dogged courage shown.

3. Passionate and innovative
Children with courageous qualities are often not satisfied with existing knowledge, achievements, and status quo, and do not stick to conventions; their thinking is always in an excited and active state, and they are good at grasping new knowledge and summarizing their own unique insights.

As the masters of the future world, children need to have the temperament and character of a brave man, dare to face all strong opponents, and have a fearless, indomitable psychological quality and competitive state.Therefore, if you want your children to succeed in study and life, you should cultivate their brave qualities from an early age, so that your children will no longer be cowardly, but become brave and strong.

Every child has a certain amount of courage, but their strengths and weaknesses are different. Parents should analyze their children's characteristics in detail, proceed from the child's reality, and take appropriate measures to make their children brave.

If a child can face difficulties bravely at the beginning of doing things, he is very motivated, but he only has 3 minutes of courage. After the courage is over, he will no longer be able to face difficulties.To treat such children, we must focus on cultivating the child's persistence and self-control.When a child decides to do something, parents should first analyze the difficulties the child may encounter, and remind the child that once he starts doing something, he must overcome the difficulties and persevere.At the same time, in the process of children doing things, parents should help children face up to and overcome difficulties, constantly motivate children, and let children have the courage to persevere.When the child is about to approach the goal, parents should especially emphasize the principle of beginning and end, constantly strengthen the child's determination to face difficulties, and let the child establish a brave image.

[Easy interaction]

1. Think about it, do you think your child is usually very brave?
2. When your child encounters difficulties, as a parent, will you encourage your child to face difficulties bravely?
3. After reading this section, what inspiration do you have for educating your children?
【Parent-child total product】

Decades ago, there was a little girl named Margaret. Her father often taught her: No matter what you do, you must strive to be first-class, always be ahead of others, and never lag behind.Even on the bus, always sit in the front row.Her father never allowed her to say things like "I can't" or "It's too hard."

In her future studies, life and work, she always kept in mind her father's teachings, always held the spirit of indomitable spirit and the belief of winning, and tried her best to overcome all difficulties. "Always sit in the first row".

When Margaret was in college, the school required five years of Latin courses. With her tenacious perseverance and fighting spirit, she managed to finish all of them within one year.Margaret is not only outstanding academically, she has always been at the forefront in sports, music, speech and other activities of the school, and is one of the best students among the students.

She was Margaret Thatcher, who became the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1979, dominated the political arena for 11 years, and was hailed as the "Iron Lady" by the world's political circles.

No matter what you do, your attitude determines your altitude. "Always sit in the first row" is a positive attitude towards life, which will inspire your courage to go forward and the spirit of striving for excellence.

【Harvard view】

Let the child be brave, and success can keep approaching him
In the long journey of life, we have to face all kinds of difficulties and misfortunes. We not only need to overcome all kinds of difficulties with a brave spirit, but also rely on a brave spirit to strive for success.Let the child be brave, and success can keep approaching him.

Today is an era full of competition, and it is inevitable for children to face fierce competition. If children face too fierce competition and often encounter setbacks and failures in this fierce competition, at this time, children may have Produce negative psychology, become afraid of competition, fear of setbacks.When he faces the competitive scene and environment again, he may have a psychological "self-elimination", that is, because of fear of setbacks and failures, he will eliminate himself before engaging in competitive behaviors, feeling that he is inferior and will definitely lose. , because he expected that he would lose, he simply did not make any efforts.This kind of self-elimination psychology is a kind of negative psychology that is especially harmful to children.

Some parents are often anxious and troubled by their children's cowardice, withdrawal and lack of courage.Such children often show characteristics such as not thinking about making progress, timid, lack of innovation, and indecision.In communication, he is taciturn, obedient, withdrawn and cautious, and often succumbs to the will of others; in activities, he dare not actively participate, and often shrinks;

As a parent, in the face of the cowardice of the child, how should we cultivate the brave character of the child?We can focus on cultivating children from the following aspects:

First, educate children by example.The power of role models is infinite. Parents can often tell their children some stories about brave men who are not afraid of difficulties and sacrifices to cultivate their children's brave character.If your child is afraid of using electricity, you might as well tell him the story of the American scientist Franklin discovering lightning; if your child is afraid of walking, you might as well tell him the story of the British explorer Scott who conquered the Antarctic; Tell the story of how the great inventor Edison experienced thousands of failures to invent the electric light, and tell the story of how the German bacteriologist Erlich invented a new drug after hundreds of failures.

(End of this chapter)