Most everyone you meet, and probably even you yourself, has this invisible sign they wear that reads “Look at me, recognize me, I want to be important.” Your teenager wears it for sure. They’re starting that part in their life when they’re building their personal identity, and who doesn’t want their identity to be an important one?
What does this mean for you as a parent and instructor? It means you have an opportunity to help your teen build their confidence in their driving, to make your lessons in the vehicle more effective. All it takes is a little recognition. Let your teen know when they’ve done something well, and be sincere about it.
You can really drive it home (pun intended) if you bring it up later after the lesson is other, and especially if you do it in front of others. While you and your family are having dinner together, or about to play Dance Central 3 on the Kinect (Xbox does not sponsor Driver Ed in a Box®…yet), just take a brief moment to let the family know how well their newest driver-in-training handled a new maneuver during today’s lesson. It will go a long way toward making your teen feel good about the time he or she is spending learning to drive with you.
Watch this video to see Patrick Barrett, the Driver Education Guru, explain more about the sign we all wear.