Ask a young child what they want to be when they grow up and the answers can range from doctor or teacher to astronaut or even race car driver. At that age, the possibilities seem endless and children rarely question whether they are capable of achieving their dreams.
However, as they grow older, challenges, setbacks and other people’s expectations can influence how they see themselves. So, how do we help children maintain that self-belief and continue to pursue their ambitions, even when things get difficult?
For South African racing driver Paige Lindenberg, it comes down to lessons she learnt early in life: believe in yourself, put in the work and never let other people’s expectations determine what you can achieve.
A Need for Speed From the Start
Motorsport was a choice Lindenberg made at just five years old. She describes herself as someone who has always embraced a challenge, pushed boundaries and set goals that might seem impossible to others.
Racing requires more than putting your foot on the accelerator. It also demands alertness, intense concentration and making split-second decisions while processing everything unfolding around you.
“You need to stay focused and keep your eye on the prize the entire time. There is no way you can lose concentration when you are behind the wheel, even for a second,” Lindenberg explains.
Maintaining that level of focus, however, requires preparation, practice and discipline.
Children can apply these same principles as they learn and grow. Whether learning a new skill, working through a difficult puzzle or exploring an interest, patience and perseverance can help them build confidence and keep moving forward.
Super Meow: Confidence to Be Yourself
One of the biggest lessons Lindenberg has learnt through racing is that setbacks are part of the journey. Success is never guaranteed, with factors such as the weather, the car’s performance, team preparation and the driver’s physical and mental readiness all playing a role in the outcome.
“I think the biggest lesson is that you need to fall to learn and grow. It’s not about the falls, but about how you get back up,” she says.
Lindenberg credits her parents and family with shaping this mindset from an early age. Their example taught her to face challenges, learn from difficult experiences and come back stronger.
This resilience is reflected in Super Meow, the confident, colourful leopard from the Novalac Junior character world. Associated with vitamin C, Super Meow represents a bold, can-do attitude that encourages children to embrace new experiences.
Confidence, however, doesn’t mean getting everything right the first time or never feeling nervous when you do it. It is a willingness to try, learning from mistakes and recognising that one setback doesn’t define what you can achieve.
Finding Your Own Lane
As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated sport, Lindenberg has had to learn some lessons first-hand. Her journey has included difficult moments that challenged her to stand her ground and believe in her abilities even when others questioned her place in motorsport.
“Gender shouldn’t define who we are and what we do,” she says. “It also shouldn’t be a discussion around your talent.”
Rather than allowing stereotypes or other people’s opinions to determine her future, Lindenberg has continued working towards her goals, confident that she has a place in motorsport.
Parents can encourage the same self-belief in their children by giving them the freedom to explore their interests, even when they are unexpected. A child who loves taking things apart might one day become an engineer, while one who spends hours inventing stories could become a writer. A little girl who dreams of racing cars might one day find herself competing behind the wheel.
ALSO READ: From Doodles to Creative Careers: How Imagination Can Shape Your Child’s Future
More Than Just Speed
While confidence and resilience are central to Lindenberg’s approach, racing also demands careful observation, quick thinking and the ability to process information.
These skills offer a natural connection to Blinky Boo and Growna, two more of the Novalac Junior characters.
Blinky Boo represents vitamin A, which contributes to the maintenance of normal vision. Healthy vision supports children’s everyday learning and exploration, from recognising shapes and colours to discovering the world around them through play.
Growna represents iron, which contributes to normal cognitive development in children. As little ones learn new things, solve problems and develop their understanding of the world, cognitive development plays an important role in their learning journey.
Every child develops at their own pace. There is no single path to discovering what they’re good at.
Helping Little Dreams Grow
For parents whose children have big ambitions, Lindenberg’s advice is straightforward: “If a young child told me they wanted to be a race car driver, I would say go for it. No dream is too big. If you want it bad enough, you will find a way to make it work.”
She is realistic about the challenges of entering motorsport, including the costs involved, but believes that a strong sense of purpose can help people find opportunities to pursue what they love.
For parents, supporting a child’s dream doesn’t mean having all the answers. It means listening to what excites them, encouraging them to explore their interests and teaching them that setbacks are part of learning and growth.
Providing opportunities to play and learn, establishing healthy routines and offering a balanced diet also help support children’s development.
Today’s Dreamers, Tomorrow’s Achievers
When Lindenberg puts on her helmet before a race, she describes it as her time to get into the zone. The noise of everyday life fades away, leaving her to focus on the race while embracing the excitement, nerves and joy of doing something she loves.
Children don’t need to know exactly who they will become. Their dreams may change as they discover new interests, develop skills and learn more about the world around them. What matters is having the confidence to imagine possibilities, the courage to try and the resilience to keep going when things don’t go to plan.
Alongside encouragement and opportunities to learn, good nutrition supports children’s growth and development. Vitamin C contributes to normal immune function, while iron contributes to normal cognitive development in children. Did you know that just two servings of Novalac Junior provide 64% of your child’s recommended daily vitamin C intake?
As part of a balanced diet, Novalac Junior provides vitamins and minerals to help meet children’s nutritional needs as they grow, learn and explore.
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