Confidence is the Key to Self-Esteem

Children who have high self-esteem are willing to take chances in school. Confident children are better able to stick with a difficult task until they manage it. A confident child is more willing to interact with the physical and social world. The result: increased learning and better brain development.

Here are some strategies for boosting your child’s confidence

• Know your children’s strengths and weaknesses. All children are unique. Challenge kids in their areas of strength and provide support in areas of weakness.
• Praise efforts as well as accomplishments.
• Always let children do for themselves things that they are able to do.
• Listen and affirm your child’s feelings. When we tell children they don’t feel a certain way, it creates self-doubt.
• Nothing drains confidence more than the feeling that we can’t cope. Teach children problem-solving and coping skills.
• Avoid stereotyping your children. They will see themselves they way you do, so see them as capable of growth with unlimited potential.
• Find ways to help your child feel important. Make an effort to tell children every day that they are special.
• Ask your children, “What do you think?” Then, really listen to the answer.
• Help your children be proud of their ethnic heritage. Learn as much as you can about the culture of your ancestors.
• Be Positive. Instead of: “No, that not where that piece belongs.” Say: “Okay! Let’s try putting the puzzle piece here.”
• Praise the Process. Instead of: “It must be too hard for you to stack all five blocks.” Say: “You stacked three blocks! You worked hard on that.”
• Be Specific. Instead of: “You are the best fruit sorter in the world!” Say: “That’s terrific! You put the green apple in the basket and the red one in the box.”
• Teach problem solving. Instead of: “Sit still we’ll be done in 5 minutes.” Say: “We are in the vegetable isle now, let’s see if we can find the potatoes.”
• Let Him Own the Accomplishment. Instead of: “I am so proud that you climbed that slide!” Say: “You must feel really proud that you climbed that slide!”