Everyone is New at Something

I have always considered myself pretty adventurous. I am willing to try new things (within reason) especially if the said experience falls under the purview of things I enjoy. So, quite audacious really. Growing up, most of us eighties and nineties kids were independent, but we were also ensconced in our little worlds. Kids today inhabit a bigger, wider, more expansive world. The kind of exposure they have and the breadth of experiences available to them are galaxies apart from what many of us knew growing up.

Our lived experiences are so different. Growing up, I was expected to be respectful and do well at school. That was, for the most part, the job. Now, school is just one small aspect of a child’s life. Kids play multiple sports, learn new languages, code, scuba dive, play instruments, give recitals, debate, create art, raise money, travel, compete and, at the end of the day, are often ready and expected to go in for more.

And yet, for all the differences between then and now, some things remain remarkably familiar. Fear and uncertainty have not changed much. With a new school year upon us, new classes, new teachers and new extracurriculars bring with them a quiet pressure to both excel and conform. It can be difficult to always be ready to try something new, to step willingly into unfamiliar territory, or to jump in headlong when you are not quite sure of what awaits you.

With kids facing pressure to constantly hustle, be it from parents, peers, school or even themselves, it is easy to get wrapped up in doubt. To feel like not enough. They hit the ground running towards Ivy League colleges on the first day of elementary school and somewhere these little people lose themselves in expectations and fear. Kids don’t realize that it is okay to be bad at things, to lose, to change their minds, that to excel at something, they have to be willing to be new at it. This week we look at books that help us tackle just this with compassion and understanding.

My Brave Year of Firsts by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell

Ages: 4-8

A book that celebrates new experiences instead of letting fear hold us back. My Brave Year of Firsts wonderfully captures the way a little girl experiences all the firsts in her life, from riding a bike for the first time and starting school to having her first illness and getting in trouble for the first time. Some are exciting, some are uncomfortable, and some are downright difficult, but together they make up the small moments that make big memories. The book is a lovely reminder that life is made up of new experiences, big and small, and that there is something wonderful about being willing to embrace that.

You can get your copy here.

The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster! by Mo Willems

Ages: 4-7

Pigeon has finally decided to ride the roller coaster. He is beside himself with excitement. He works himself up thinking of all the thrills that lie ahead. He is filled with purpose and bravado and envisions every scenario he would encounter. But when the time comes, it is nothing like expected. This is another hilarious book by Mo Willems; this time we explore the wonderfully complicated territory of trying something new. What makes Pigeon’s approach particularly funny is how seriously he prepares himself for the experience. And instead of fear, Pigeon is ready. Being aware of the risks and what to expect, Pigeon plans for the whole gamut of emotions he anticipates.

You can get your copy here.

The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do by Ashley Spires

Ages: 5-9

This is a fantastic book for kids who are trepidatious about new experiences, whether they are scared, shy or simply unsure of themselves. Lou considers herself pretty brave and quite adventurous, but when a new game with her friends involves climbing a tree, she encounters the one thing she has never done before. Suddenly, Lou is not so sure she wants to play. She comes up with every possible excuse, from needing to attend a slug funeral to having a mysterious tummy ache. But watching her friends have fun without her eventually becomes more tempting than staying safe on the ground.

What I especially like about the book’s messaging is that it doesn’t offer a magical solution. It doubles down on the lesson of trying and trying again, that bravery doesn’t mean the lack of fear, it just means you show up anyway and keep trying.

You can get your copy here.

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall

Ages: 3-8

I have been waiting to write about Jabari Jumps, and I am so glad I finally got the chance. It is such a simple but effective book about fear, uncertainty and finding the courage to do something new without being pushed into it. Jabari has been waiting to jump off the high diving board and he is finally ready. But when the time comes, he realizes that knowing how to do something and actually doing it are two very different things. Although he is riddled with uncertainty, his dad’s gentle encouragement and understanding do the trick for him. Jabari Jumps is the perfect book to help kids understand that any new experience brings with it fear and doubt, and sometimes you need understanding, sometimes you need encouragement, sometimes you need to take a breath and sometimes you just need to jump.

You can get your copy here.

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Thank you for being here.

-Nandhini