Life can be hectic and we are often too busy to allow our children to learn to do things for themselves as it's much quicker, as an adult, to do things ourselves. Many six year olds ARE capable of making toast for their breakfast, they CAN tie their shoelaces and they CAN make it up a hill. Many parents have begun expecting more from their children as they now know their youngsters are so capable!.

Children love to do things without help. They simply need the time and space to explore, learn from their mistakes and to learn to be safe. Having spoken to hundreds of children over the years, we've compiled a list of some of their thoughts about a few of the challenges featured in the Mini and Junior Duke Awards:

Kids love the feeling of achievement when they have been out in the hills for an adventure.
They feel a sense of being 'grown up' when they have successfully built a safe fire and toasted a marshmallow.
They like to show they can recite a long mobile phone number.
They are likely to be more careful with their buttons if they have learned how tricky it is to sew them back on!
They LIKE rules, and games like Chess are a great way to instil calm and discipline as well as learning good sportsmanship.
Everyone gets nervous making presentations but if you do it regularly from a very early age, it becomes easier each time.
They like having a purpose to each of the presentations.
They like being able to surprise their parents by cooking and baking.
It's really nice to feel you have done something kind or thoughtful for other people or to organise to get something fixed in their local area.
They like talking to the teachers whom they didn’t really know so well about the things they have done.
They know their parents are proud of them when the have completed each level.