Depending on the activity, children can learn a lot more by doing it themselves--making a sandwich, feeding the dog, or setting the table for dinner. Though it may be messy and take more time, it can also be greatly rewarding for your child's confidence.  Patience is key to helping your child grow in confidence. Give children the time and space to try something new and learn from their mistakes. Provide help when they ask rather than doing the project or activity for them. For example, maybe your child is interested in pouring their own glass of juice into a cup.  You may want to do it for them to avoid a mess. However, consider taking a step back and helping them learn to pour their own juice.  Even if they make a spill, you can teach them what to do when a spill happens. One way to foster confidence is to see and do different things with your child.  By sharing in these new experiences with them early on, you can teach them that life is not so scary or overwhelming as it may seem. Spend quality time with your child after school or on weekends in places that are different than your usual routine.  The experiences don't have to be expensive.  It about building your child's interest in your community, in nature, and in learning.  The more that they see and do, the less small or isolated they may feel. Go a different park or library than usually do. Take them to a natural history museum.  Go to a state or national park. Take them to a restaurant with food they've never had before.   Show them a community garden.  Take them to a farmer's market. Take them to a sporting event that you both don't usually watch or attend. Teach them about giving back.  Take them to a local food-pantry to sort cans or donate goods.  Bring them to a retirement community to spend time doing activities with older adults.  Join in a charity walk that helps a local non-profit. It is important that your child learn about how certain risks can help build confidence.  In tough situations, we take chances, make choices, and learn to take responsibility for those decisions.  This is the same with children. However, first you should teach them about safety. Let them know what to do if they feel unsafe and how to step away from things that are too risky. This will give them skills they can use to build confidence when taking risks.  Foster your child's resilience and curiosity by encouraging them to try new things.  When your child makes age-appropriate choices, they will feel more confident. Be mindful of risks that may harm versus healthy risks that can be teaching moments. For example, if your child feels shy in front of large groups, encourage them to enroll in a theater class.   Help them use creativity to overcome their fears.  Even if it's a small part with a few lines, they can feel more confident about being in front of people. For young children, they may want to be helpful and show that they can do things.  Consider giving them chores around the house that may match their strengths.  For example, if your seven year old child likes to organize things, ask them to help with sorting clothes and putting them in piles. Or if your ten-year-old like cars, have them help you wash the car or clean the interior. Avoid blaming them if they aren't living up to your expectations.  Remember that their confidence may be based on trying to please you.  Set realistic goals and expectations depending on the child's age and stage of development.  If they see that you are anxious and upset, they may lose their confidence and become withdrawn.  Avoid comparing your child to others by fostering unconditional love and acceptance.  If you child gets a C on a test instead of an A, don't start comparing them to their straight-A sister or brother.   Provide encouragement and ask them what they need for support. Instead of focusing only on their performance, allow them to play too.  Balance your child's activities with fun and relaxing things that you both can share.  If your family has some difficulty with setting time for schoolwork and for having fun, create a schedule for times to play and times to do work.  This structure may help to teach your children better time management as well as the importance of breaks.
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One-sentence summary -- Allow your child to do things for themselves. Introduce your child to new experiences. Let your child take healthy risks. Give your child responsibilities. Avoid putting too much pressure on your child.

Article: As is true of any ratio, an algebraic ratio compares two quantities, although in this case variables (letters) have been introduced into one or both terms. You will need to simplify numerical terms (as shown above) as well as any variables when finding a ratio's simplified form.  Example: 18x2:72x{\displaystyle 18x^{2}:72x} Remember that factors can be whole numbers which divide evenly into a given quantity. Look at the numerical values in both terms of the ratio. Write out all factors for both numerical terms in separate lists.  Example: To solve this problem, you will need to find the factors of 18 and 72.  The factors of 18 are: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 18 The factors of 72 are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 72 Go through both factor lists and circle, underline, or otherwise identify all of the factors shared by both lists. From this new selection of numbers, identify the highest number. This value is the greatest factor common to both of the numerical terms. Note, however, that this value represents only part of the  greatest common factor within the ratio. (We still have the variables to deal with.)  Example: Both 18 and 72 share several factors: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 18. Of these factors, 18 is the greatest. You should be able to evenly divide both numerical terms by the GCF. Do so now, and write down the whole numbers that you get as a result. These numbers will be part of the final simplified ratio.  Example: Both 18 and 72 are now divided by the factor 18.  1818=1{\displaystyle {\frac {18}{18}}=1} 7218=4{\displaystyle {\frac {72}{18}}=4} Look at the variable in both terms of the ratio. If the same variable appears in both terms, it can be factored out.   If there are exponents (powers) applied to the variable in both terms, deal with them now. If the exponents are the same in both terms, they cancel each other completely. If the exponents are not the same, subtract the smaller exponent from the larger. This completely cancels the variable with the smaller exponent and leaves the other variable with a diminished exponent. Understand that by subtracting one power from the other, you are essentially dividing the larger variable amount by the smaller one.  Example: When examined separately, the ratio of variables was:  x2:x{\displaystyle x^{2}:x}  You can factor out an x{\displaystyle x} from both terms. The power of the first x{\displaystyle x} is 2, and the power of the second x{\displaystyle x} is 1. As such, one x{\displaystyle x} can be factored out from both terms. The first term will be left with one x{\displaystyle x}, and the second term will be left with no x{\displaystyle x}. x(x:1){\displaystyle x(x:1)} x:1{\displaystyle x:1} Combine the GCF of the numerical values with the GCF of the variables to find the full GCF. This GCF is the term that must be factored out of both terms of the ratio.  Example: The greatest common factor in this example is 18x{\displaystyle 18x}. 18x⋅(x:4){\displaystyle 18x\cdot (x:4)} After you remove the GCF, the remaining ratio is the simplified form of the original ratio. This new ratio is proportionally equivalent to the original ratio. Note again that the two terms of the final ratio must not share any common factors (except 1).  Example: x:4{\displaystyle x:4}
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Look at the ratio. Factor both terms. Find the greatest common factor. Divide both sides by the greatest common factor. Factor out the variable if possible. Note all of the greatest common factor. Write the simplified ratio.