As I’m sure many of you have noticed that I have been including reading and literacy skills in my weekly goals for quite some time. My Kindergarteners have came a long way with their reading skills, but it hasn’t been the easiest skill for either them to master. In fact, at times they are simply frustrated that it isn’t as easy as they want it to be.
Last night, our 4-H club had their annual speech contest. The twins are in Clover Kids which means they are too young to “compete” in the contest, but they are still encouraged to either read a story, a poem or tell about an experience they have had.
Little Miss chose her favorite story, “Thumpy Feet
“. 
This book is her favorite book of all time. I wasn’t surprised she chose it, but I was a little concerned because some of the words are a little above her reading skills to sound out.
Mr. Man chose “Fox Hops“. 
I recently have been looking for books helping with phonics besides BOB Books and came across these
by Nora Gaydos at our library. Both kids have really liked them and have helped with their skills. (I liked these so much I bought them for our home library since we still have 2 more who will be learning to read!)
As we were getting ready for the contest to start, both of the twins started getting nervous. What if they messed up the words? What if no one liked their story?
Mr. Man was first to read. He got up and read his little reader, beaming the entire time. He did fantastic! This mama’s heart was so full. When he finished, he skipped back to our seats and told his sister, “Don’t be nervous, these are all nice people who will clap for you!”
Soon it was his sister’s turn. She was far more nervous and wanted to sit and read her story. Her little voice wobbled through the first page and soon she was reading her story just like she does at home. She did an amazing job and skipped back to her seat, pride clearly written across her face that she had conquered her doubt and fear.
The reason I’m telling you this about my children is this: What are you putting off in life because you are nervous, afraid you will mess up, or is new and you are scared? These two 6-year olds taught me a lesson by overcoming their fears. I honestly thought that one of them would refuse to try. There are many adults I know who would never get up in front of group of people and read aloud (I should have know better, being they are my children and just as stubborn as their mom!)
As adults, we are no different from children when it comes to taking risks. We beat ourselves up with our negative self-talk instead of letting someone build us up and tell us, “not to be nervous” and overcoming our fear!
I challenge you today to think about an area that you’ve procrastinated. Can you jump in and take a risk? What could happen if you did? Sure, you probably won’t be rewarded with a rainbow-colored ribbon, but what about the confidence growing inside your heart because you stepped out of your comfort zone? You just might be the person with a heart of new-found confidence in the room. If two 6-year-old’s can do it, so can you!
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