Sue's Imaginarium

  Self-worth is one of the most important gifts we can nurture in children. It’s the quiet voice inside them that says, “I am valuable. I matter. I can do great things.” When children grow up with a healthy sense of self-worth, they’re more confident, resilient, and compassionate toward themselves and others. The good news is that teaching kids about self-worth doesn’t always require big lectures or expensive tools—it can be woven into everyday activities at home, at school, and in the community. In this article, we’ll explore how parents, caregivers, and educators can help children build self-worth through simple daily practices. 1. Encourage Their Efforts, Not Just Results Children thrive when they feel seen—not just for what they achieve but for the effort they put in. Praising only results (“You got an A!”) can sometimes send the message that their worth comes from success. Instead, focus on effort. Activity Example : When your child tries a new puzzle, instead of sayin...

In a quiet African village where the sun painted the sky gold each evening, there stood an enormous baobab tree. Its trunk was wide and round, and its branches stretched like the arms of a giant. To the villagers, the baobab was more than just a tree—it was a place of shade, a meeting point, and a keeper of stories. But what no one knew was that this baobab hid a secret. Deep inside its trunk lay treasures of gold, gems, and wisdom. Only those who could prove their patience would ever discover them. 👧 The Curious Girl In this village lived a little girl named Ama. Ama was clever, curious, and full of questions. She loved to climb trees, listen to the elders’ tales, and explore the world around her. But Ama had one problem: she was not patient. If her mother told her to wait for food to cool, she burned her tongue. If her friends said, “Let’s save our fruit for later,” Ama ate hers first and complained when she had none left. One evening, Ama’s grandmother told her a story under ...

  In West African folklore, Anansi the Spider is known for his cleverness, tricks, and love for outsmarting others. But sometimes, even the cleverest can be caught by their own foolishness. This is one such tale—a story about money, wisdom, and the power of planning ahead. The Bag of Cowries Long ago, in a village near the great forest, cowrie shells were the treasure everyone valued. They were used to trade for food, cloth, and all the necessities of life. One bright morning, Anansi the Spider entered a contest hosted by the village chief. The challenge was simple: tell the cleverest story, one that would make the whole crowd laugh and think at the same time. Of course, Anansi’s tongue was quick, and his wit was sharp. His tale had the villagers rolling in laughter and nodding in amazement. The chief, impressed, awarded him the prize—a whole bag of shiny cowrie shells. “Oh, fortune smiles on me today!” Anansi shouted. He danced in circles, showing off his prize. His friend,...

  Words have power. The way children talk to themselves—what we call self-talk —shapes how they see the world and how they see themselves. Positive self-talk can boost a child’s confidence, resilience, and emotional well-being. On the other hand, negative self-talk can lead to self-doubt, fear, and even anxiety. As parents, caregivers, or teachers, one of the greatest gifts we can give children is the ability to develop a kind, encouraging inner voice . But this doesn’t happen automatically—it’s something we can model, nurture, and reinforce every single day. Let’s explore how to do just that. Why Positive Self-Talk Matters Children are constantly learning from their environment. If they often hear criticism or focus on failure, they may internalize those words and repeat them silently: “I can’t do anything right.” But when they learn to replace those thoughts with positive, realistic affirmations like “I can try again” or “I am learning and growing,” they begin to build a ...

  Parenting in today’s fast-paced, digital world is about more than just academics, nutrition, and safety. While these are vital, there’s another area that shapes your child’s future just as much: emotional grounding . Children who are emotionally grounded tend to be calmer, more resilient, empathetic, and better prepared to navigate life’s challenges. Instead of being overwhelmed by their emotions, they learn how to acknowledge, express, and manage them in healthy ways. This builds a strong foundation for their relationships, self-esteem, and overall well-being. So how can parents raise emotionally grounded kids? Below are 7 practical, how-to tips you can start using today. 1. Model Healthy Emotions Children are natural imitators. They watch closely and often copy how parents or caregivers react to different situations. This means your own behaviour is one of the strongest tools for teaching emotional grounding. If you shout when frustrated, your child learns shouting is ...

 Mark was the kind of dad everyone admired. He worked hard, provided for his family, showed up at soccer games, and cracked silly jokes at the dinner table. To his neighbours and friends, he looked like the definition of a good father. But there was one part of life Mark quietly avoided — prayer. He grew up in a home where faith existed, but it wasn’t personal. His parents prayed before meals and on Sundays, but at home, prayer felt more like a ritual than a relationship. As an adult, Mark carried that same distance. He figured, “If I put food on the table and love my kids, that’s enough.” So, when his wife, Sarah, knelt by the kids’ beds at night to pray, Mark would often slip out of the room. He thought, “That’s her thing. The kids don’t need me for that.” What he didn’t realize was how much his children noticed. 🌱 A Quiet Gap in the Family His daughter, Emily, was seven when she first asked him, “Daddy, why don’t you pray with us?” The question stopped him in his tracks....

As parents, we’ve all been there. The night before a big test, the morning of a doctor’s appointment, or those restless evenings when our little ones can’t quiet their minds. Children may not always have the words for it, but anxiety can creep in — and when it does, it can feel overwhelming for both them and us. We comfort, we encourage, we reassure… but sometimes they still whisper those words: “Mom, I’m scared.” or “Dad, I feel nervous.” In moments like these, prayer can become a lifeline — not as a magic formula to erase all worries, but as a gentle, steady rhythm that reminds our kids they’re not alone. Prayer helps children pause, breathe, and hand their fears to a God who listens. This guide is about how you, as a parent, can teach prayer as a practical tool for calming anxiety. It’s not about perfect words, but about connection, presence, and peace. 🌱 Why Prayer Matters for Mental Health Research has shown that spiritual practices — including prayer — can reduce stress, ...

Mornings with kids can be chaotic. One minute you’re pouring cereal, the next you’re searching for missing shoes, and somehow everyone’s running late. Sound familiar? The truth is, kids (like adults) feel better when their day starts off calm and predictable. But that doesn’t mean it has to be boring. A good morning routine doesn’t just get your kids out the door on time—it sets the tone for the whole day. Here are 10 fun and practical morning routines that can help your kids wake up happy, stay focused, and start their day on the right foot. 1. Wake-Up Song or Dance Party Forget the alarm clock. Start the day with music. Pick a family “wake-up song” that everyone loves. It could be upbeat and silly or just something with a good rhythm. Press play when it’s time to get up and turn it into a quick dance party. Even if it’s just two minutes, it wakes up the body and puts smiles on faces. No one likes being yanked out of bed. But grooving to a favourite tune? That’s a much better s...

Let’s be honest: getting kids to eat their vegetables can feel like trying to convince them to eat grass. If your little one acts like broccoli is a personal attack, you’re not alone. But instead of fighting at the dinner table, why not outsmart the resistance? Here are 10 fun and clever ways to introduce vegetables into your child’s meals without turning mealtime into a war zone. 1. Blend Veggies into Pasta Sauce Tomato sauce is a great disguise. You can easily blend in cooked carrots, zucchini, spinach, or even cauliflower into marinara or any pasta sauce. Once it’s pureed and mixed with familiar flavours, kids usually won’t even notice. Bonus tip: Add a pinch of oregano and garlic to mask any “green” taste. 2. Turn Veggies into Fries Kids love fries. So, make veggies look like fries. Try slicing carrots, sweet potatoes, zucchini, or even green beans into fry-like shapes. Toss them in olive oil, sprinkle with salt and a little parmesan, then roast them in the oven until crispy. Serv...

  Long ago, in a busy African village where the marketplace was full of laughter and music, there lived a humble weaver named Abena. Every day, she sat under the shade of a mango tree, weaving colourful cloth with her nimble fingers. People loved her work, and she was always paid in coins. But unlike many others, Abena did not rush to the market to spend her money on sweets, jewellery, or feasts. Instead, she had a secret—beside her loom sat a clay pot. Each day, after selling her cloth, she dropped a few coins into the pot. Clink, clink! went the coins. Children often asked, “Weaver Abena, why don’t you spend your money right away?” She would smile gently and say, “Coins are like seeds. If you save them and use them wisely, they will grow into something greater.” 🌱 The Village Feast One year, the chief announced that a grand feast would be held. Everyone was excited. The villagers ran to the market, buying fine clothes, big drums, and piles of food. Abena too wanted to jo...