The Power of Creating Metaphors with Children

Children are natural meaning-makers. They see the world in colors, shapes, and stories long before they can fully understand abstract ideas. One of the most powerful tools we can give them is the metaphor—a way to take something familiar and use it to explain something deeper.

Metaphors can be woven into everyday life, and they don’t have to happen by accident. Parents can preplan metaphors based on what their child is already interested in. If your child loves soccer, you might compare learning a new skill at school to practicing free kicks—sometimes you miss, but each attempt makes you stronger. If they love drawing, you might compare friendships to sketching—a few rough lines at first, but with time and care, the picture becomes clear and beautiful.

Everyone has a metaphor to tell. Our personal lives and family histories are full of them—moments, images, and experiences that can be passed on as guiding stories. Perhaps your grandmother’s persistence in finding work after arriving in a new country becomes “the lighthouse” in your family—a reminder that no matter how stormy the seas, there’s always a guiding light. Or the time your family moved and had to rebuild friendships can become “planting a new tree,” showing that roots can grow in new soil with care and patience.

Here are a few examples parents can use with children:

·         The Bridge: “Making new friends is like building a bridge. You start with one small plank—maybe a smile or a hello—and before you know it, you can cross over and meet each other in the middle.”

·         The Mountain: “Learning something hard is like climbing a mountain. The higher you go, the more you can see, and every small step counts.”

·         The Garden: “Kindness is like planting flowers. You might not see them bloom right away, but with patience and care, the whole place becomes more beautiful.”

·         The Puzzle: “Life is like a puzzle. Sometimes you can’t see how the pieces fit, but if you keep working, the picture starts to make sense.”

When children hear these metaphors tied to their own passions or family stories, they’re not just learning language skills—they’re building a sense of identity and resilience. They begin to see themselves as part of a bigger story, one where struggles have meaning, and where their own actions can shape the outcome.

Metaphor-making becomes more than a teaching tool—it becomes a way for parents to bond with their children while guiding them through the small struggles of life: a rough day at school, a disagreement with a friend, or the frustration of trying something new.

So, the next time you share a story with your child, think about what they love, and plan a metaphor around it. Everyone has a metaphor to tell—and yours might just be the one that helps your child understand the world in a new and hopeful way.

Eugene Roginsky is a licensed psychotherapist and the founder of Bridge2Horizon Psychotherapy and Counseling Services PLLC. He is also the creator of Growing With Stories LLC