Naturally, as a parent, you want to instill a can-do attitude in your kids. Self-esteem is your child’s passport to a lifetime of social happiness and well-being. And building self-confidence can begin at an early age. When babies learn to turn pages in a book or toddlers learn to walk, they gain an “I can do it” attitude. As they grow and develop new skills, their confidence grows along with them.
Encourage children to bravely take on fresh challenges and believe in themselves by following these easy tips:
Let your child make mistakes
Letting you child make their own choices means they will make some mistakes. But as long as you are there to boost their spirits so they keep trying, they will learn a valuable lesson and will boost their confidence.
Explore new activities
The more your child tries novel activities or visits unfamiliar places, the more likely they are to feel secure stepping out of their comfort zone. Encourage your child to explore something new – maybe trying a different food, making a new friend, flying a kite or riding a bike. Having the confidence to try something new and take risks will build self-esteem.
Give unconditional love
Accept your child for who they are, regardless of their strengths, abilities or temperament. A child’s self-esteem flourishes when they you say, “I love you, no matter who you are or what you do.”
Celebrate the positive
Make an effort to acknowledge your child’s accomplishments. Commending them when they do well builds self-confidence, but be careful – smothering them with praise or bribing them with rewards can backfire and have them seeking approval and credit all of the time. Sincere and genuine praise should focus on their efforts, not the outcome. Simple words of support will boost their self-confidence and foster a sense of pride in all they do.
