Our brains are incredible. Every time we experience something—an event, an activity, or even a feeling—neurons (brain cells) fire together, creating or strengthening neural pathways. When these experiences are positive and repeated, they reinforce “good” connections. But if children consistently experience failure or frustration, they reinforce negative pathways that can undermine confidence. Here’s how we, as teachers, parents, or coaches, can help children build positive pathways for learning and skill development.
Why Pathways Matter
“Synapses that fire together, wire together.”
If a child learns a motor skill—like jumping—in an incorrect way, every time they repeat that flawed jump, they solidify a less-effective pathway. Over time, this can lead to lower self-confidence and negative self-perceptions, which often cause anxiety and avoidance of similar tasks or activities.
The Impact of an Inaccurate Pathway
When children feel they can’t perform a task as well as their peers, they may see themselves as failures. Each negative experience—or each perceived “failure”—feeds a negative pathway, reinforcing thoughts like “I’m not good at this,” or “I don’t like this.”
As educators, we have to ask ourselves:
“Is what I’m doing right now embedding a negative pathway or a positive pathway?”
If upon reflection we think we’ve contributed to a negative experience, don’t worry—our brains are neuroplastic. That means we can prune old pathways by creating new, positive ones.
Pruning and Building Positive Pathways
When a child experiences success in an activity (even a small success), they fire—and thereby strengthen—positive pathways. Over time, these positive experiences can replace negative self-talk with confidence and enjoyment.
Deposits in the “Confidence Bank”
Ask yourself:
“How can I re-wire a student’s brain to make deposits instead of withdrawals in their confidence bank account?”
Tips for Tackling Low Confidence
Use a Confidence Ladder
Break down a task into multiple levels, from easiest to hardest.
If a child struggles at one level (fails twice), step back down a rung to ensure they have more successes before moving back up.
This way, kids avoid reinforcing negative pathways and instead steadily build confidence.
Calm the ‘Monkey Mind’
Children often have distracting thoughts like “I’m going to fall” or “People will laugh at me.”
Provide simple, memorable verbal cues (e.g., “crouch, reach, jump”) to guide them through the skill.
Singing or repeating a positive phrase (like “Yes, I can!”) can also distract from negative thoughts.
Spoon-Feed Instructions
Even if a child nods or says “yes,” they may not have fully absorbed the teaching point.
Repeat verbal cues or have them chant the steps to cement positive pathways.
Make these cues part of the classroom or training environment so they’re used naturally and often.
Adopt a Bob Marley Attitude
Remind children “every little thing is gonna be alright” to reduce pressure and focus on the process, not the outcome.
Shifting from anxiety to trust can help them relax and perform better.
Activate the Heart
When a child’s motivation or desire (e.g., qualifying for a championship) is triggered, it can overpower negative “I can’t” thoughts.
Encourage them to repeat a goal-oriented phrase, like “Championship, championship,” to tap into that deeper motivation.
Supporting Positive Pathways with MoveAhead
Modern technology can be a powerful ally in strengthening positive pathways. MoveAhead uses camera-based motion tracking to assess and coach children in real time—providing immediate, personalized feedback. By celebrating each small improvement and adjusting difficulty levels to the child’s current ability, MoveAhead ensures they’re consistently feeding positive pathways and building confidence in their skills.
Final Thoughts
Negative pathways can be pruned, and positive ones can be planted, nurtured, and grown. By creating opportunities for success—through structured progressions, verbal cues, and an encouraging mindset—we can help children see themselves as capable and confident movers. It’s all about making those deposits in the confidence bank and reminding them (and ourselves) that with the right attitude and approach, every pathway can lead to a brighter, more positive destination.
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