Sometimes in the excitement to encourage your child, you may put pressure on them. It can be tricky to toe the line between encouragement and pressure and to help you avoid a troubling situation later, we have put together a list of tips you can use to ensure your child feels only enough pressure to learn and nothing more!

1. Do not force your interests on them - It is only natural that you as a parent may want to pass on your passion to your children. However, you must remember that children have their own dynamic interests that you may have no awareness of. See this as an opportunity for you to learn a new skill, hobby, or interest and in doing so, you’re building something in tandem with your child!
   
2. Give them space to explore - If you cater to your child's interests, be prepared not to see instant results or performance. Honing skills and interests is a time-intensive process. If you monitor your child for results, then they feel pressured to perform without having had enough time or space to explore these interests and they may feel like they are not good enough to pursue them at all!
   
3. Feedback time - One way to really encourage instead of pressure your child is to schedule a regular feedback session with them. Do this exercise once a week so they can tell you where they are struggling, if they need more support from you or if they feel burnt out by their workload. This is also a good time to teach your child that you are open to receiving feedback as well!
   
4. Make outdoor activities compulsory - Any type of activity that gives them a break from chasing their academic pursuits should be a mandatory part of their day. Encourage them to fulfil their social needs and play outdoors. Essentially anything that takes them away from the grind at least for some bit of the day!
   
5. Give space for failure - Teaching children to accept failure as part of their learning curve may seem tough, but it's important. They feel more encouraged and motivated if there is space to fail along with room to grow. This is all evolutionary and equally important for children to experience.

Giving children space and time is never a threat to their growth. In fact, the only way you can ensure your child learns and learns with passion is if you give them enough space.

There will always be times when you will have to step in and take the reins. But remember, pressure makes a diamond only if exerted in controlled measures and that is the kind of encouragement children also need.