Discussion on different ways children may deal with personal challenges

When discussing ways for children to deal with personal challenges, there are three main things to take into consideration.

First of all, facing a difficult challenge that seems impossible could lower a child’s self-esteem if all their peers can overcome it. They might begin thinking they are weak or less capable due to the peer pressure of performing the same way as everybody else. AJ repeats that he doesn’t want to be a “wuss” and doubts that he will succeed during his swimming lessons: “He faces her. ‘What if I can’t?’ ‘Really,’ she says. ‘You’ve been practicing’ ” (ll. 52-53). In other words, he measures his own value in comparison with the performance of his peers instead of being proud of his personal progress and hours of practice.

Secondly, a child may try to avoid and run away from the challenge. For example, they might fake an illness or even say things they don’t mean. AJ says some harsh things at t...