It's time your child steps out of their comfort zone

You’ve likely heard these phrases from your child at least once: “Maths is hard!” “I already know how to speak English, so there’s no point.” “Why do I need to learn Science when I won’t need it next time?”

While you might think of it as just typical laziness on their part, it’s very likely that your child is merely digging in their heels about their unwillingness to explore their least liked subjects, resulting in stagnating performance and an ever-growing reluctance to give learning a chance.

Simply put, they’ve found their comfort zone, and they’re in no hurry to leave. Which is why it might be a good idea to start nudging them out of it.

Personal development through exploring the unknown

Most people love stability and familiarity. Doing things that we like and are familiar with is always preferable to the unknown. But although it’s perfectly fine to stick with what you know, sometimes it’s worth going beyond your comfort zone in order to grow and improve as a person.

By pushing boundaries and exploring uncharted territory, your child embarks on a journey of personal growth, exposing them to new experiences, skills, and perspectives, fostering a well-rounded approach to education. This holistic development equips them with the versatility needed to excel academically and beyond.

Stepping beyond comfort zones also cultivates resilience and adaptability. Through confronting challenges and surmounting obstacles, your child will learn to navigate adversity, think critically, and adapt to changing circumstances. This invaluable skill set not only enables them to conquer academic hurdles but also prepares them for future endeavours.

That’s all well and good, but how does going beyond comfort zones help in terms of education specifically?

Going out of learning comfort zones

When it comes to learning, encouraging your child to explore and challenge themselves can pay dividends in their academic performance.

The first and most important benefit in doing so is that it intuitively fosters a sense of curiosity in your child. By going beyond ordinary lessons and assignments and using unconventional study material, your child will in time develop a growth mindset, transforming the act of learning to a more enjoyable endeavour.

But even that’s only one third of the equation. A study done by Feraco et al. in 2023 found that soft skills such as adaptability, curiosity and perseverance are significant contributors to academic success - all of which can be learned by stepping out of one’s comfort zone and navigating uncertainty from time to time.

It’s also worth remembering that comfort zones tend to confine perspectives and stifle creative thinking. Conversely, stepping beyond safe boundaries fosters creativity, critical thinking, and innovation, ultimately leading to academic success.

How parents can help

Want to start helping your child grow out of their learning comfort zone? These ideas might be worth a try:

• Motivate your child to explore subjects from multiple angles, be it through watching educational videos, attending workshops, or engaging in hands-on projects. This multifaceted approach broadens their understanding and introduces them to new dimensions of learning. Encourage them to pursue their interests and delve deeper into topics that ignite their curiosity.

• Instil a culture of fact-finding in your child by encouraging them to ask questions both inside and outside the classroom. This nurtures curiosity and critical thinking, empowering them to seek deeper understanding and challenge assumptions (both very useful skills when studying Humanities in secondary school). Encourage them to engage in meaningful discussions with peers, teachers, and mentors to gain diverse perspectives and expand their knowledge base.

• Encourage your child to set ambitious goals and embrace challenges. This may involve enrolling in advanced courses, participating in academic competitions, or pursuing extracurricular activities that stretch their abilities. Emphasise the importance of viewing challenges as opportunities for growth. Encourage them to step out of their comfort zones by trying new activities, joining clubs, or assuming leadership roles.

Conclusion

Stepping out of one's comfort zone is not only synonymous with general self-improvement but also holds tremendous benefits for academic success. By embracing the discomfort of unfamiliar territory, students can unlock their full potential, enhance their learning outcomes, and develop the essential skills needed for academic excellence.

As a personalised learning service, Geniebook understands the importance of inquisitiveness, tenacity and having a growth mindset to achieve academic success, which is why all our learning products are designed to encourage these qualities in our students. Have a look at our product overviews here, or sign up for a complimentary Strengths Analysis assessment below.