Snehaalata Shah, a dedicated parenting and mom blogger, recently shared a heartwarming personal story that highlights the profound impact of positive reinforcement in child development. Her experience with her son Aarit offers valuable insights for parents everywhere.
The Power of Encouragement in Small Moments
"Aarit once approached me with a small painting he had created," Shah recalls. "To be completely honest, the artwork wasn't particularly easy to understand, and frankly, it wasn't exceptionally skilled either. However, what stood out was the radiant, happiest smile on his face as he presented his creation to me."
Instead of pointing out what might have been wrong with the painting or offering corrections, Shah chose a different approach. She responded with genuine enthusiasm, saying, "Oh my God, this is so beautiful! Can you tell me what you've drawn?"
The Immediate Transformation
"Immediately, his eyes lit up, and he began passionately explaining the imagination behind his painting," Shah describes. "The very next day, he returned with another painting—this one slightly better than the first. I continued to motivate him, expressing how beautiful I found his work. Remarkably, he kept creating art every single day after that."
This consistent encouragement led to a breakthrough moment. "One day, he actually drew something so beautiful that it made me pause and reflect deeply," Shah shares. "I realized how crucial it is, as a mother, to encourage your child consistently. That day taught me a valuable lesson: every child may not be perfect initially, but appreciating their efforts at each step can guide them toward perfection."
The Alternative Scenario: What If?
Shah often contemplates what might have happened with a different approach. "I frequently wonder: what if on that very first day I had corrected him or failed to motivate him? The probable outcome is that he wouldn't have tried again. That initial positive response created a foundation for continuous improvement."
She now applies this same principle to every task her son undertakes. "As a parent, I can clearly observe the positive impact and growth in him. This approach has transformed our interactions and his development."
Extending Positive Reinforcement Beyond Art
Shah's commitment to positive parenting extends to her elder daughter as well. "During her growing years, she faced numerous body-shaming issues," Shah explains. "At home, I consistently told her that regardless of what people said, she should affirm to herself: 'I am cute, I am beautiful, and I love myself.' This positive reinforcement protected her mental state from negative impacts."
She strongly believes that home environment significantly shapes a child's self-perception. "The way you start at home reflects profoundly on your child. Positive words create substantial impact. Today, my daughter doesn't carry feelings of being 'a little healthy' or 'on the heavier side.' When anyone comments about her appearance, she simply responds, 'I love food, I enjoy eating food.' That's how she confidently handles such situations."
The Consequences of Negative Words
Shah emphasizes the damaging effects of negative language. "The moment you, as a parent, fail to support your child with positive words, or if you engage in body-shaming at home, it directly affects their focus and overall growth. I strongly believe positive words make a tremendous difference in a child's development."
Building Future Aspirations Through Positivity
Shah has consistently nurtured her children's aspirations through positive framing. "I have always told my child that they're going to become good professionals in their lives. This perspective shapes how they view their future. When I asked my son about his career aspirations, he responded, 'Mama, I want to become an army officer. I want to become a police officer.' This ambition stems from our constant discussions about positive role models."
She observes how this positive influence has cultivated an exceptional mindset in her child. "That positive impact has created an amazing perspective—he believes army personnel are among the best people in the world, and he aspires to become like them. Parents can ensure their children are consistently surrounded by positive mindsets rather than negative words."
The Parable of Unhindered Potential
Shah often shares an illustrative story with her children to reinforce this principle. "Once, two children were playing near water. The elder child accidentally fell in, and the younger one, just five years old, began crying and looking around for help. Finding nobody in the vicinity, he noticed a bucket nearby. Despite his young age and the heavy weight, he threw the bucket into the water and managed to pull the elder child to safety. Both children then returned to their village."
"When villagers heard what happened, they asked, 'How did you save the elder one when nobody was around to help?' An old wise man explained that it was possible precisely because there was nobody present to say, 'You cannot do it.' That absence of negative limitation allowed the younger child to accomplish what seemed impossible."
The Core Parenting Principle
Shah concludes with this powerful insight: "This principle—of nobody saying negative things in critical moments—can empower a child to achieve anything. When there's nobody to say 'no' or 'you can't,' a child naturally believes they can succeed. This is how positive reinforcement fundamentally operates in child development."
Through her personal experiences and thoughtful reflections, Snehaalata Shah demonstrates how intentional positivity in parenting can transform children's confidence, skills, and overall development, creating resilient individuals prepared for future challenges.
