The Batman Effect: How We Teach Children Endurance

When we teach children perseverance, we also teach them the importance of continuous effort. They learn not to give up and not to settle for second best, or that which is easy. Children can learn and develop this skill through good role models, such as parents who show perseverance in everyday life. They can also learn through play and games which is the case of the famous Batman effect. It is a very simple and stimulating technique that encourages endurance.

We must admit that it is not easy to convey to a child the mental and emotional strength that lies implicit in the act of continuously making an effort to work towards and achieve a specific goal. How can we convey this? Most of the children today have access to digital devices that give them instant gratification. It is an easy way for them to escape when they experience anger, boredom or when they need information.

Concentration and frustration

In today’s world, we see a deterioration in the attention and concentration ability of primary school students. They also have lower patience and a low tolerance for frustration. A third problem is that they do not know how to deal with their emotions. It’s not about putting all the blame for this on newer technology. It is about understanding that there are certain priorities one must make when it comes to education.

One of them is to train our children to be motivated to succeed in what they do. We must make sure that they learn that those who persevere do not allow themselves to be carried away by what is easy or comfortable. This will help them become better, happier and more enterprising in the future.

Teaching children endurance

A while ago, a study was conducted that gives us a lot to think about. The study showed that children’s ability to tolerate frustration and deal with challenges not only affects their academic performance, but also their self-image and self-esteem.

Many parents are obsessed with their children being good pupils and students, which will lead to academic success. In fact, they should rather want their children to be happy. In this way, they can develop into teenagers with enough skills to deal with emotional conflicts, take responsibility and fight for what they want.

Now let’s take a closer look at what we should keep in mind when teaching children endurance:

• We should start teaching children endurance when they are about 2 or 3 years old. This is the perfect time to begin this learning process for a very simple reason. When they reach this age, they begin to become more autonomous. They start eating themselves, take out toys and clean them away again, they start tying their own shoes, etc.
• If children want to be proficient in these first, daily tasks, they should be responsible, motivated and able to perform them on their own. They should learn that they should not give up after the first attempt, regardless of whether they failed or not.
• In this first stage of life, children begin to build their perception of reality. They begin to shape the first representations of what the world is and how it is experienced for them.
• When children see that they should be patient through difficult times or situations, and that they need motivation and give everything they have to achieve their goals, they will begin to build a more productive and fulfilling reality in their heads.

What does the Batman effect consist of?

The Batman effect is a technique that can be used by parents to teach children endurance, what it is and what it consists of. This technique is recommended for children between 2 and 4 years. The guidelines for this technique are as follows:

• Each time the child is faced with a challenging task, such as tying their shoelaces, solving a puzzle, tidying up their room, eating or dressing alone, invite them to be a character. “Now you are Batman. Does Batman give up when he faces a challenge? Do not give up, you will make it! ”
• The child has to handle these tasks himself, without any help. If they give up, no matter when, give them a new reinforcement: “How’s the puzzle going, Batman?” Instead of just using your child’s name, use a character or hero they like to motivate them so they do not give up.

This type of play encourages children to reach beyond the opportunities they have and try harder. It allows them to develop their endurance and learn that if they give their all and make a good effort, they will be able to develop new skills and abilities. Little by little, they will realize that they are their own, true heroes. And they will realize that there is nothing that is impossible to achieve, if you have enough motivation and initiative.