1. Focus on feelings.

Emotional intelligence is shut down when teens learn to pretend their own or other peoples’ feelings don’t matter. Instead, they should be able to feel all of their feelings, talk openly about them, and learn how to navigate their emotional highs and lows. Help your teen develop a rich vocabulary to describe emotions. Ask clarifying questions like, “It sounds like after she said that, you felt angry and maybe a little sad… is that right?” And make sure they know that feelings are never right or wrong. Emotions are information, and all of them are valid.

2. Try on someone else’s shoes.

To develop empathy, teens need to be able to imagine how others feel. Sometimes– especially if they’re angry or hurt –that’s really hard to do. Give your teen low-pressure practice by asking them about how others might feel when their own feelings aren’t as intensely involved: “What do you think your friend was feeling in that situation? Can you imagine why they felt that way?” That helps teens get used to multiple perspectives.

3. Keep a journal.

Journaling can help teens clarify their thoughts and feelings, relieve stress and even brainstorm solutions to problems. Help your teen get started with a simple spiral notebook, a journaling app like Journey, or the self-discovery journal True You. Psychologist Alexandra Solomon suggests creating ground rules to protect teens’ privacy; for example, “Let them know that you will not read it unless you are worried about the risk of serious harm to themselves or someone else, (or) that you will never read it without asking them first.”

4. Practice active listening.

Active listening may be the single most powerful way to show your teen how much you care. And when they know what it feels like to be listened to with your full attention, they’re more likely to stay present and listen to others. Active listening is simple but not easy: Try it by putting down your devices, turning off the TV or car radio, focusing all your attention on what your teen is saying, and waiting a few seconds longer than usual to respond.

5. Take responsibility for your feelings.

Conflict is uncomfortable, but it doesn’t have to be hurtful. In fact, conflict can lead to closer relationships by helping us understand each others’ perspectives and solve problems together. Teach teens to take responsibility for their own feelings by using “I” statements (“I feel hurt when…”) and calling out behaviors instead of people (“When I’m yelled at I…” instead of “When you yell at me…”)

6. Cultivate curiosity.

Being curious about the lives and perspectives of others helps teens develop empathy. Model friendly curiosity when you’re out in the world with your teen, for example, by chatting with cashiers or catching up with neighbors. Make sure your teen has opportunities to meet and form meaningful connections with people who are different from them. Find ways to nurture IRL relationships and help your teen learn conversation skills so they feel confident talking with others.

1. Make sure they have downtime.

These days, it’s easy– and sometimes even expected– for teens to take on too much. But when teens are overscheduled and stressed, there’s no time to explore their interests or make the deeper connections that grow their neural networks. A lack of downtime can also lead to curiosity-killing anxiety, depression and burnout. To make downtime a priority, let your teen know that you value rest, fun and self-care. Help them learn how to say “no” and set boundaries to protect their time and energy. Especially if your teen is a high achiever, stay on guard for signs that they’re losing their enthusiasm for activities or feeling more pressure than pleasure. Think about ways you can help them schedule relaxation, play and no-pressure time with family and friends. Finally, remember that actions speak louder than words. Be sure your teen sees you prioritizing your own passions and making time for self-care, too.

2. Embrace not knowing.

Albert Einstein once said, “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” Even while seeking deeper understanding, creative thinkers like Einstein are comfortable not knowing all the answers. They are fascinated by the act of exploration and discovery itself. To help teens feel more ease with the unknown, encourage them to ask questions, find their own answers, and be creative and resourceful when solving problems. Be transparent when you don’t know the answers or when you’re gathering information and weighing pros and cons. Finally, make a habit of asking more open-ended questions with your teen, like “What’s interesting to you about that?” and “What do you think about…?” That trains their brains to stay open and dig deep.

3. Reframe mistakes as opportunities.

How does your teen relate to setbacks? Teens with a fixed mindset see failure as a reflection of who they are as individuals, and that limits their goals and achievements. Curious teens are more likely to have a growth mindset, or the belief that they can learn and improve their abilities through effort. They see mistakes as a message to uplevel their own skills, ask for help or try a different approach. That helps them stay optimistic, patient and persistent instead of getting frustrated and shutting down. Mindset is mostly learned, so teens can become more growth-oriented. Start by teaching your teen that mistakes are a necessary part of growth. When they know their worth and your love for them are never in question, they’ll be more confident taking risks even when success is not a sure thing. Validate them for trying hard and stretching beyond their comfort zone, and be ready to help them assess what they’ve learned from mistakes and chart a new course.

4. Help them find interesting outlets.

Any parent of teenagers knows that curiosity can have a dark side. What if curiosity leads them to try something dangerous? According to writer Hank Pellisier, “dozens of studies on adolescents worldwide reveal that curiosity is by far the most common reason kids give for trying smoking, e-cigarettes, marijuana, other drugs, and sex.” That’s because the risk-assessment capabilities of the prefrontal cortex aren’t fully developed until we reach our mid-20s. But when teens focus their curiosity on something constructive, they’re less likely to engage in risky behavior. Passionate teens are too busy pursuing their interests to jeopardize their success. Not all teens are sure where their passion lies, but curiosity can help them find it. When your teen gets inspired by something, kindle their curiosity by letting them know you\’re interested and supportive. Ask what problems they want to be a part of solving and help them devise a plan to take meaningful action. Allow your teen to explore without the expectation that trying something new means they’ll stick with it forever. And when they do find their passion, make sure they know you’re their biggest fan. Regardless of what piques their curiosity, it’s proven to be a major brain booster that lays the foundation for lifelong well-being and success.

Teens who dream big have an optimistic outlook, and optimism in teens correlates with lower rates of depression and mood disorders and higher levels of goal setting, coping skills, and self-confidence. Optimism is a mindset that can be cultivated and helping your teen dream big is a great place to start. Here are some ways you can support your teen in reaching for the stars!

Expand their worldview.

Nothing helps teens dream big like being exposed to new experiences, places, people, and ideas. The teenage brain is wired to absorb information from diverse sources and weave it together in exciting ways. When introduced to something that inspires them, teens often experience states of awe and wonder that spark their creativity and shape their sense of what’s possible. Travel is a major motivator for many teens: a trip to a national park might get them curious about conservation, or a summer abroad might inspire them to become fluent in a foreign language. Volunteering and summer or after-school jobs also rank high for “a-ha” moments, as does exposure to art, music, history, nature, or new technology. It’s best to let your teen take the lead and tell you what they’re interested in learning, but don’t underestimate the power of the unexpected. One teen we talked to was surprised to fall in love with horticulture during a summer job on the farm of a family friend. The more new and diverse experiences you can share with them, the better.

Help them meet mentors.

Even teens who have one or more caring, engaged parents on their team can experience great benefits from mentorship. Mentors provide support and guidance and can help teens discover and nurture their passions. According to MENTOR, teens with a mentor are 55% less likely than their peers to skip a day of school, 78% more likely to volunteer, and a whopping 130% more likely to hold leadership positions. Lots of mentor relationships get started in informal ways, with relatives, neighbors, or family friends. If your teen is interested in a particular field, maybe you know someone with expertise in that area. Could your teen meet up to chat or spend a day shadowing them? Teens can also meet mentors through volunteer opportunities, jobs, and internships. Since teens may lack confidence in approaching adults, parents can help them identify organizations and people they would be excited to learn from, plan how they’ll reach out, and set goals to get the most out of the experience.

Seek out stories of inspiring teens.

A quick Google search is all it takes to discover almost endless examples of teens who are dreaming big and changing the world. Check out scientist and Time’s first Kid of the Year Gitanjali Rao, Klothes 4 Kids founder Nijel Murray, and punk band The Linda Lindas. Teens are inspiring others as entrepreneurs, activists, content creators, artists, gamers, and inventors. While they are making their mark in different ways, most say they started with a passion or curiosity and just decided to go for it. Peer role models inspire other teens to ask, “If they can do it, why not me?” Many share advice for other teens on how to take action via podcasts, YouTube videos, and TED Talks. Try watching or listening with your teen to spark a conversation about where their own passion and curiosity might lead. Note that lots of successful teens credit their parents for supporting them and helping them set their projects in motion.

Finally, and most importantly, help your teen discover and nurture their passion. Give them space to explore, try new things, and learn from any mistakes they make along the way. Let them know you’ll always be there to help and that nothing could make you prouder than cheering them on. And be an example of someone who’s not afraid to take risks to make your own dreams come true. Your teen probably has some ideas to inspire you, too!