As parents, we all want our children to feel confident and good about themselves. And one of the ways we can help build their self-esteem is by using certain techniques that encourage positivity and self-worth.
It can be challenging to help your child develop high self-esteem, especially if you have been struggling in this area yourself. However, it is totally possible!
If you are not sure where to start, here are some really great techniques you can use to boost your child’s self-esteem.
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Children need to feel loved, and it is important to show them affection in ways that are meaningful to them. This can be as simple as giving them a hug or telling them that you love them every single day.
Never underestimate the power of the words, “I love you.” No matter how hard of a day your child has had, they should always know that they can come home to unconditional love.
Show them that no matter what is going on in the world and no matter what anyone else says, they are very loved.
And encourage your children to honor and love themselves as well. This all starts with demonstrating self-care and encouraging them to take good care of themselves.
2. Encourage your child’s interests
If your child has a hobby or interest, encourage them to pursue it. This will help them feel good about themselves and give them a sense of accomplishment.
It also shows them that you care about their interests and actually listen to them. And if they decide that an activity is no longer a good fit, listen to them and be open to them trying something different if they wish.
Life is just one big playing field so it is totally natural for your child to want to explore!
3. Focus on effort, not just results
Rather than just praising your child for getting good grades or winning a game, praise them for the effort they put in even if they didn’t achieve exactly what they set out for.
This will help them understand that true success is pushing forward even when things don’t seem to be going your way. It also shows them that they’re not a failure just because they didn’t hit their target.
Additionally, it teaches them to celebrate even the small wins because those are worth celebrating too!
4. Help your child set achievable goals
Setting goals helps children develop a sense of purpose, and achieving them helps build confidence. Make sure the goals you help your child set are realistic and achievable.
You can teach your child early on to set SMART goals, as this is a skill that will be extremely valuable throughout their entire life.
They should also celebrate their achievements along the way as we mentioned in the previous section.
5. Create a positive environment at home
Make sure your home is a safe and positive environment. Avoid criticism and negativity, and instead focus on positive reinforcement and encouragement.
As I mentioned earlier, no matter what is going on out in the world, children should know that they are loved at home. They should also feel that they are SAFE at home.
6. Teach problem-solving skills
One thing that is most definitely true about life, is that there will always be challenges – big problems and small problems. But we don’t want our kids to avoid dealing with problems that come their way. We want them to be able to effectively overcome them.
Being able to solve problems can help your child feel confident and capable. So teach them how to identify problems and come up with creative solutions.
I also highly recommend teaching them breathing techniques and other methods they can use when facing a problem.
Why is It Important for Kids to Have High Self-Esteem?
It is important for kids to have high self-esteem because it can positively impact their mental healthand overall well-being.
When children have a positive self-image, they are more likely to feel confident in their abilities and have a greater sense of self-worth. This can lead to better relationships with peers, increased academic success, and improved emotional resilience.
Conversely, low self-esteem can lead to feelings of inadequacy, social isolation, and poor decision-making.
As we all know, there is plenty of disempowering information presented to us daily whether it be through interactions with our peers or the media. And with the growing use of social media and interaction on the internet, it is more important now than ever to teach our kids to have a positive self-image.
Essentially, encouraging children to develop a healthy sense of self-esteem can have long-term benefits for their personal and professional lives.
Wrapping Up
By using these techniques, you can help boost your child’s self-esteem and set them up for success in life.
Remember, building self-esteem is an ongoing process, so keep using these techniques consistently over time and encourage your child to do the same.
Briana Marie is a mental health and financial literacy advocate, and founder of Major League Mommy. In her spare time, Briana enjoys yoga, travel, and spending time with her Husband and two daughters.
