Some parents raise children who simply follow instructions.
Others raise children who think for themselves, lead confidently, and navigate life with kindness and courage.

One educator who has deeply influenced modern parenting is Esther Wojcicki, known for her remarkable work with children and for raising three highly successful daughters. But what makes her philosophy special is not the outcomes - it’s the process behind them.

Her parenting framework is called TRICK, and it aligns beautifully with what we believe at Sovo International School.

TRICK stands for:
Trust, Respect, Independence, Collaboration, and Kindness.

At first glance, these may sound simple.
But the way you apply them can transform how a child grows.

Let’s look at how each principle works and why we integrate the same mindset at Sovo.

1. Trust - Let Kids Try, So They Learn to Trust Themselves

Trust means believing your child can handle more than you think.

In Esther’s world, trust looked like letting her grandkids run small errands on their own because if children are never trusted with real responsibility, they never develop real confidence.

The message is powerful:
Children learn self-belief only when adults first believe in them.

At Sovo, we apply this by giving children real tasks, real choices, and real accountability, whether it’s leading a project, making decisions for their group, or exploring new ideas independently.

2. Respect - Follow the Child, Don’t Drag the Child

Respect isn’t about politeness. It’s about honoring a child’s pace, interests, and individuality.

Esther shares a story of her grandson who wasn’t walking even at 18 months until something he loved (basketball) motivated him to get up and run.

Her point is simple:
Children unfold on their own timeline.
Our job is to support, not pressure.

This is why at Sovo, we don’t push children into one-size-fits-all milestones.
When a child takes the lead - curiosity follows, confidence builds, and learning becomes joyful.

3. Independence - Never Do for Kids What They Can Do Themselves

Independence is not taught through lectures, it’s taught through experience.

Esther even used a “pause principle” with her newborns: instead of rushing to soothe them instantly, she gave them a moment to self-regulate. Small steps like these create children who can handle big responsibilities later.

Her ultimate goal as a parent:
“Make myself obsolete.”

At Sovo, this principle is embedded in everything: children carry their own tasks, solve their own problems, and learn to manage themselves with age-appropriate freedom.
When children feel capable, they grow into capable adults.

4. Collaboration - Work With Children, Not Over Them

Collaboration means treating kids like partners, not subordinates.

In her classroom, Esther didn’t deliver monologues. She involved students in decisions, discussions, and even classroom management. She trusted them enough to share real challenges and let them help solve them.

And they rose to the occasion.

That’s exactly how modern learning works at Sovo: children brainstorm, debate, plan, build, and work in teams where every voice matters. It builds leadership not through authority, but through shared ownership.

5. Kindness - The Value That Holds Everything Together

Kindness is not a “soft skill.” It is the foundation of meaningful success.

Esther taught kindness through example, through daily habits, small gestures, and constant reminders that how you treat people matters more than what you achieve.

This is also central to Sovo’s culture. We’re not raising children who can just perform well academically - We're nurturing children who uplift others, show empathy, and carry warmth into every interaction.

In life, in work, and in relationships - kindness wins.

The TRICK Philosophy in Today’s World

Helicopter parenting often produces anxious kids who depend too much on adults.
TRICK builds children who can:

• think independently
  
  

• solve problems
  
  

• handle setbacks
  
  

• show compassion
  
  

• lead with confidence
  
  

The true success of Esther’s daughters isn’t their titles. It’s their strength of character.

And that’s the kind of child Sovo aims to develop - not just high achievers, but good human beings with strong minds and strong hearts.