The One Skill School Didn’t Teach Me (But Every Child Needs)

Some moments just land differently.

I was sipping my tea, half-scrolling, when I heard these words from a TEDxYouth speaker, and suddenly, I was captivated:

“That system never taught me how to believe in myself. Never how to find my voice.”

It hit like a truth bomb.

Because it captures something I hear, almost word-for-word, from the kids and parents I work with every week.

The speaker went on to say:

“Like many others, I was trapped in a cookie-cutter curriculum built to produce perfect test scores instead of powerful people. A system designed to standardise when every child learns differently.”

It got me thinking:

We've built an education system that rewards compliance, neatness, and performance.

But what if our kids are walking away with top marks and shaky self-worth?

The Missing Piece

Our system is deeply focused on academic achievement. And while academic learning matters, we’ve under-prioritised the skills that help kids thrive as humans.

Skills like:

• Confidence

• Resilience

• Self-belief

• Emotional awareness

• Creativity

• Adaptability

These aren’t "nice to haves." They’re what help children navigate friendships, setbacks, identity doubts, and change. They’re what stop everyday challenges from spiralling into shutdown or school refusal.

“That system never taught me how to believe in myself.”

That line took me straight back to what I see rising across primary school-aged kids:

• Anxiety

• Perfectionism

• School reluctance

• Emotional shutdowns

• Social overwhelm

These are the signs that tell us we’re missing something vital.

And It Doesn't Just End In Childhood

When emotional development is overlooked, even high-achieving kids can struggle.

These are often the adults who:

• Burn out quietly

• Struggle with boundaries

• Base their worth on productivity

• Seek external approval for validation

• Work through lunch while others enjoy the sunshine

We’ve seen where this leads. And it’s time to interrupt the pattern.

We Don’t Need an Overhaul, We Need Balance

This isn’t about stacking more pressure onto teachers, they're doing extraordinary work under immense pressure.

It’s about widening the circle.

• Families

• Schools

• Communities

• Child development specialists

All contributing to raise whole, emotionally grounded, future-ready humans.

Because education shouldn’t just be about what a child knows. It should be about who they become.

The Foundations Program: Confidence You Can Teach

That’s why I created the Foundations Program at Sapling Minds.

It’s a small-group, in-person experience for primary-aged kids that teaches the skills most needed.

Skills that build:

✅ Emotional regulation and resilience

✅ Healthy self-talk and self-belief

✅ Confident communication and boundary-setting

✅ Courage to cope with mistakes and pressure

This program is for the child who is:

😟 Anxious, perfectionistic, or afraid to try unless it’s "perfect"

And it supports them to become the child who:

🌱 Tries new things without freezing

🌱 Speaks up for themselves and others

🌱 Knows their worth beyond performance

We’re running our next intake in February 2026 in Canberra, with additional locations by demand.

If you'd love to see it offered in your area, get in touch, we grow where the need is.

Let’s Stop Waiting for a Crisis

The best time to teach these skills is before your child needs them. The second best time? Now.

💬 Reflection Prompt: What’s one skill you wish you had learned in school that had nothing to do with exams?

I’d love to hear your story, comment below or reach out.

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