Every parent wants to raise a child to grow up to be successful, good, contributing, happy people. Most parents think the way to do that with what I call, the pyramid model. Namely, those children will do best in life if they finish close to the top of the pyramid every year of their lives during childhood. A model that works much better is what I call, the cycle of excellence. There are five steps; number one is to connect, number two is to is to play, number three is practice, number four is to make progress, number five is to gain recognition. That cycle spins off all the attitudes that really do predict a great life. The pyramid model, in fact, can be very destructive. It can get produce depressed, unmotivated children. The cycle of excellence produces the opposite; enthusiastic kids who love life.