Stories that help kids learn bravery
This month we are diving into stories that teach courage.
We live in a culture obsessed with avoiding hard things, chasing what’s easy and seeking what’s comfortable. The truth is that we grow when we bravely face challenges head on.
Courage is the mental or moral ability to face danger, fear or difficulty. It’s not the absence of fear. In fact, courage is recognizing that something is scary and choosing to face it anyway.
Stories allow children to see brave characters face challenges, make difficult choices, and keep going when things feel uncertain. We gain confidence through seeing others conquer their fears and come out the other side.
This month, we're exploring courage and how stories can help shape children who are willing to do what is right, even when it's difficult.
Keep Going,
Riley Lee - Director @ SkyTree
Why This Matters: Science + Soul
Fear gets a bad reputation, but fear is not the enemy.
Fear is actually one of the ways God designed our bodies to protect us. It alerts us to danger, helps us pay attention, and prepares us to respond when something feels uncertain or risky.
In many situations, fear is a gift.
The problem is not feeling afraid.
The problem is believing that fear should determine what we do next.
Children today are often taught, directly or indirectly, that uncomfortable feelings should be avoided. If something feels hard, scary, or uncertain, the message is often to step away.
But courage teaches something very different.
Courage is not the absence of fear.
Courage is choosing the next right step in faith.
Every meaningful thing in life requires courage at some point. Making a new friend. Trying something unfamiliar. Standing up for what is right. Admitting a mistake. Telling the truth. Persevering when something feels difficult.
Fear says, "What if I fail?"
Courage asks, "What if I try?"
And that is one of the reasons stories matter so much.
Stories allow children to watch characters face challenges, overcome obstacles, and do brave things before they ever encounter those situations themselves. They help children see that fear is normal, that bravery is possible, and that growth often happens on the other side of discomfort.
Stories teach children what to admire and courageous stories teach children that being brave doesn't mean you're not afraid. It means doing the right thing anyway.
July Book Picks
Shop All Courage Book Recommendations
July Formation Guide:
Use our READ → DISCUSS → PRACTICE framework this month as you teach courage in your home.
Download our July Formation Guide
This Month’s Family Challenge
Read in 5 Unexpected Places
This month, we're celebrating courage by taking our reading beyond the couch.
Choose 5 unexpected places to read together as a family.
Ideas:
☀️ Under a tree
🏕️ At a campsite
🧺 During a picnic
🌧️ On a covered porch during a storm
🛝 At the playground
🌅 At sunrise
🌙 By flashlight after dark
🐄 At a farm
🏖️ By the water
🚗 In the car while waiting somewhere
Why? Because sometimes courage just starts by simply trying something new.
A Final Word
Our kids are being formed everyday. It’s not a matter of if they are being formed, it’s what is forming them. Stories they are consuming through videos, movies, books, YouTube etc. are shaping the way they view the world. In a culture constantly encouraging taking the easy way out, we can raise kids who courageously face challenges head on.
We’re so grateful to grow alongside your family.
