Mount Everest, Earth’s tallest peak, continues its slow ascent, rising a few millimeters annually due to the relentless collision of tectonic plates. While erosion works to wear it down, the upward push currently prevails. Scientists meticulously track this dynamic process, revealing that mountains are not static but constantly evolving geological wonders.

High above the clouds stands Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth. Its snowy head rises about 8,848.86 metres above sea level. That is taller than many airplanes fly. But here is the surprising part. Everest is not frozen in time. It is still moving. It is still rising. It is still changing. Will it ever stop growing? The answer is not simple, and that makes the story even more exciting.

Why is Everest growing at all?

The Earth’s surface is not one solid piece. It is made of giant slabs called tectonic plates. These plates move very slowly. They move as slowly as fingernails grow.Everest sits where the Indian plate pushes into the Eurasian plate. This push has been happening for about 50 million years. When these plates crash into each other, the land crumples and lifts upward. That is how the Himalayas were born.Even today, the Indian plate keeps pushing north. Because of this pressure, Everest rises by a few millimetres each year. It may sound tiny, but over thousands of years, it adds up.

But doesn’t erosion pull it down?

Yes, it does.Mountains gradually erode due to wind, rain, snow, and ice. We refer to this process as erosion. Pieces of rock are carried away by rivers. The surface is carved by glaciers. Loose stones are pulled downward by gravity.So while tectonic plates push Everest up, erosion pulls it down. It is like a tug of war between two powerful teams.Scientists measure both forces. Right now, the upward push is slightly stronger than the wearing away. That is why Everest is still gaining height.

Will Everest grow forever?

No mountain grows forever.The Earth is always changing. If the tectonic plates stop pushing, Everest will stop rising. If erosion becomes stronger than uplift, the mountain could slowly shrink.This may happen millions of years from now. Nothing about it will be quick. Mountains change on a time scale far longer than human history.So in a child’s lifetime, Everest will not suddenly shoot up like a rocket. Its growth is patient and steady.

Do all mountains grow like this?

Not all mountains grow the same way.The Himalayas are still rising because the plates beneath them are still pushing.Although they form where one plate slides under another, the Andes likewise expand as a result of plate movement.The much older ones are the Rocky Mountains. Erosion now shapes them more than uplift, and their expansion has slowed.Volcanoes can also create mountains. When magma rises and hardens, it builds land upward. Others are very old and worn down, like rounded hills that once were sharp peaks.Each mountain has its own life story.

How do scientists know it is growing?

Measuring a mountain’s height is not easy. Weather changes, snow depth shifts, and earthquakes move land.Scientists from countries like Nepal and China use GPS tools and satellite technology to measure Everest’s exact height. After a large earthquake in 2015, experts checked whether the height changed. Careful surveys followed, and in 2020 both nations agreed on the updated official height.This shows something important. Mountains are not statues. They respond to the Earth’s movements beneath them.Disclaimer: This article is written for educational purposes. Scientific measurements and geological processes are based on current research and may be updated as new studies emerge.

Navigating the journey of parenthood often resembles a sprint, but wisdom from Plato inspires us to savor the slower, meaningful strides. When we celebrate each child’s efforts instead of their standings, we empower them with confidence and grit. Research highlights the uniqueness of every developmental journey; nurturing encouragement sparks a love for learning, while criticism breeds hesitation.

“Never discourage anyone…who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.” – PlatoParenting becomes a race without anyone meaning it to. Report cards, milestones, sports trials, speech clarity, handwriting, confidence. Everything seems to have a timeline. And when progress feels slow, frustration can occasionally slip in. This quote by Plato is very simple but also demanding at the same time. It asks parents to protect progress, not speed. It asks them to look at effort, not comparison. That shift changes everything inside a home. Children grow in inches, not leaps. But adults tend to always just measure in leaps.

Slow progress is still growth

A child who takes six months to read fluently is still learning. A child who needs extra time to tie shoelaces is still trying. The pace does not cancel the effort.Research published in Frontiers about child development consistently shows that children grow at different speeds depending on various factors. The brain develops in stages, and skills build on repetition. Some children grasp concepts quickly. Others need more exposure and reassurance. Both patterns are normal.Discouragement does something dangerous. It connects effort with shame. When a child hears, “Why is this taking so long?” the message becomes, “You are not enough.”Encouragement builds stamina. Discouragement builds fear.

Comparison becomes the enemy

Modern parenting lives in a comparison culture. School groups, social media updates, birthday party conversations. Someone’s child always seems ahead.But comparison changes the focus from the child to the scoreboard.Plato’s words challenge that mindset. Continual progress means the child is moving forward relative to yesterday, not relative to someone else’s timeline.When parents say, “You are better than you were last week,” they build internal confidence. When they say, “Look at how well your friend is doing,” they build insecurity.Children should compete only with their past selves.

Encouragement builds brain pathways

Neuroscience shows that repetition and positive reinforcement strengthen neural connections. When a child feels safe to try again, the brain stays open to learning. When a child feels judged, stress hormones increase and learning slows down.Encouragement does not mean blind praise. It means noticing effort.Instead of saying, “You are so smart,” saying, “You worked hard on that,” shifts the focus to persistence. That builds resilience.Progress becomes a habit when effort is respected.

Patience is a parenting skill, not a personality trait

Many parents believe patience is something they either have or do not have. In reality, patience is practiced.It grows when expectations are realistic. It grows when parents understand that development is uneven. A child may excel in math but struggle socially. Another may be emotionally mature but academically slower.Plato’s quote invites restraint. It asks parents to pause before correcting, before comparing, before sighing.Sometimes the most powerful support is silence paired with presence.

Small wins deserve big respect

A child who speaks up once in class after months of silence has made progress. A child who manages anger one out of five times has made progress.Small wins are easy to ignore because they do not look dramatic. But they are often harder earned than big victories.Celebrating small improvements teaches children to notice growth in themselves. That awareness builds motivation that does not depend on trophies or applause.Progress feels meaningful when it is seen.

Discouragement leaves long shadows

Children remember tone more than words. An eye roll, a sharp sigh, a disappointed expression. These moments linger.When discouragement becomes a pattern, children may stop trying. Not because they cannot improve, but because trying feels unsafe.Encouragement does not guarantee success. But it guarantees effort. And effort, over time, leads somewhere.Plato’s wisdom is not just philosophical. It is practical. A child who feels supported continues moving forward, even slowly. And slow, steady progress often builds stronger foundations than rushed achievement.

Progress over pressure

Parenting is not about speeding up development. It is about protecting it.Every child is on a timeline that cannot be forced without cost. When parents choose encouragement over criticism, they create homes where growth feels safe.Progress, even slow progress, deserves respect. Because children who are not discouraged learn something powerful: improvement is always possible.Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and reflects general principles of child development and parenting. It does not replace professional psychological or medical advice. Parents concerned about developmental delays or emotional challenges should consult a qualified healthcare or child development professional.

Your body language speaks louder than your words or tone when talking to others. And so, Carnegie says one should hone their body language to appear more charismatic. Stand tall (shoulders back, no slouch), uncross arms (welcoming), lean slightly in (engaged), hold steady eye contact (trust, not stare-downs). Mirror subtly (they cross legs, you do post-pause). No fidgeting. Remember, a tense body language repels others; while an open body language invites people.