What children need from adults

Children and young people need more from us than instructions or advice. They need love that creates safety and belonging. Support that helps them stand back up when life gets difficult. Encouragement that reminds them they are capable of growing and learning.
They also need expectations that set direction and purpose, boundaries that create a sense of security, and consequences that teach responsibility. Above all, they need a living example — adults whose actions reflect the values.

7 things young people need from us: Love, Support, Encouragement, Expectations, Boundaries, Consequences, Living example to follow.

What Do Children and Young People Need from Us, the Adults?

What do young people truly need from us? First of all, they need relationships that are warm, structured, and consistent. Relationships in which they are given love, support, encouragement, expectations, boundaries, consequences, and the power of adult example.

What children need from adults

Kristijan Musek Lešnik

Nov 19, 20253 min read

Love in Education: Why Feeling Accepted Powers Learning

What do young people need most from us? Love that says “you are seen and safe.” From early attachment to teen years, unconditional acceptance fuels curiosity, resilience, and courage. Let's look at why teacher presence matters—especially during transitions—and how simple daily gestures (listening, naming, noticing) build belonging for every student, including the most vulnerable.

What children need from adults

Kristijan Musek Lešnik

Nov 18, 20253 min read

A teacher gently encouraging a student — symbolizing trust, emotional support, and safety in learning.

Support in Education: How Belonging and Scaffolding Build Confidence

Young people feel supported when adults listen, notice effort, protect from harm, respect feelings, and coach through difficulty. Let's look at how everyday, non-judgmental presence, fair guidance, and strengths-focused feedback create safety, belonging, confidence, and courage to learn.

What children need from adults

Kristijan Musek Lešnik

Nov 17, 20253 min read

Children are youth are natural explorers. But to reach beyond familiar interests, they need something extra: encouragement.

Encouragement in Education: Nudging Beyond the Comfort Zone

Encouragement is the spark that turns potential into growth. To grow beyond the familiar, children need encouragement and clear boundaries. Let's look at how caring limits and brave invitations help them step beyond comfort and discover what they can do.

What children need from adults

Kristijan Musek Lešnik

Nov 15, 20253 min read

High Expectations with Care: How Challenge Builds Resilience

Children resist being pushed beyond comfort—that’s normal. What grows them is fair, loving, high expectations with real support. Let's look at how clear, age-appropriate demands paired with support build self-regulation, resilience, and achievement without slipping into pressure or permissiveness.

What children need from adults

Kristijan Musek Lešnik

Nov 13, 20253 min read

Boundaries with Care: How Limits Create Safety and Freedom

What children need from adults

Kristijan Musek Lešnik

Nov 12, 20253 min read

Consequences, Not Punishment: Teaching Responsibility with Care

Consequences aren’t about control—they’re about learning. Let's clarify the difference between consequences and punishment, and look at how clear, fair, consistent follow-through builds self-regulation, responsibility, and respect without shame.

What children need from adults

Kristijan Musek Lešnik

Nov 10, 20252 min read

Leading by Example: The Most Powerful Lesson Adults Give Children

Children and youth imitate adult behavior. If we model calm, empathy, responsibility, and service, this is what they learn and imitate. From keeping promises to discussing world events with integrity, we (and our actions) shape who they will become.

What children need from adults

Kristijan Musek Lešnik

Nov 8, 20252 min read