How to Boost a Child’s Self-Esteem
Helping children feel confident about themselves and their unique talents is so important today and always.
Some key ways to boost a child’s self-esteem include guiding them with discipline, respecting their opinions, encouraging independence, and praising their efforts. You can also try to get your child involved in activities that they enjoy and will help elevate their confidence.
Keep in mind that children with low self-esteem are more susceptible to peer pressure, which can lead to social issues or problems in school. So, it’s up to you to do everything possible to help kids and teens pay attention to their own thoughts and feelings.
Yoga Can Help Boost Self-Esteem
One easy way to boost self-esteem is by practicing yoga, which has been proven to help children feel good about their accomplishments and learn to accept exactly where they are – in the present moment. Kids yoga poses are fun, and you can either practice yoga along with your children or you can enroll them in an online yoga class. You can even try playing some yoga games at home.
In addition, meditation and breathing exercises can really help a child develop more self-confidence. You can learn more about calming breathing exercises for kids right here.
In the meantime, here are 5 great tips for how to boost a child’s self-esteem.
1. Be Patient
It’s important to separate the child from the behavior. With this in mind: be patient. For example, a bedroom may be a mess, but that doesn’t make a child a messy person. So, if you see a messy room in your house or anywhere, this is a good time to take a deep breath and refrain from getting angry. Instead, give your child directions to clean his or her room.
Provide Clear Expectations
Another good tip is to provide clear expectations of behavior so that he or she knows in advance what to do. This gives children a sense of security because they’re not wondering where to begin or whether they’re doing a chore properly. For example, you might opt to give them a list of your expectations so that they can gain the confidence to attempt the task or project on their own.
2. Encourage Independence to Increase Self-Esteem
Teaching children to be self-sufficient gives them confidence and makes it easier for them to do these things on their own when they’re teenagers.
Tasks like cooking and cleaning are things you can help with from the time they’re toddlers. For instance, stirring cookie dough and helping them set the table might be great ways to teach kids and then, as they get older, they may progress to making the cookies by themselves!
3. Praise a Child’s Efforts to Build Self-Worth
Focusing on the efforts rather than the results helps take away some of the pressure to succeed or to be the best.
Plus, if you praise children only for what you deem success (like getting straight A’s in school or always winning the races in track), this can backfire. The pressure to always win may cause children to do the opposite.
So, praise the behavior and effort instead. For example, what was it about the way a child behaved that was special? Did they train hard in preparation for the race or test? Did they save money in order to contribute to that guitar they wanted? Did they cheer up a sad friend?
Instead of sending a message that winning is necessary to succeed, you’ll be showing children that their behavior, efforts and character is what counts. Yoga poses for kids – even teaching yoga to toddlers – can also help children learn the importance of practice, focus, and perseverance.
4. Explain the Concept of Consequences
Consequences that help children take responsibility for their own problems is a form of discipline that will contribute to increasing their self-worth.
Oftentimes, yelling at kids for not doing their chores doesn’t change things. Yet, adding on extra chores might drive home the importance of doing their assigned after-school tasks. They may not be happy about more chores, yet they’ll learn not to shirk responsibilities – the hard way. In turn, they’ll gain self-esteem and confidence while taking responsibility for their own actions.
5. Listen to Children and Ask for Their Opinions
Allow children to have input. Sometimes kids can help provide solutions to problems, which helps boost their self-confidence.
Encourage them to participate in some family discussions and ask for their ideas and suggestions. By allowing children to have a voice, they learn that their thoughts are valued.
It’s important to also understand that respecting a child’s opinion doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll agree with it. But it will help you understand each other. And, when children feel respected, loved, and heard this can help boost their self-esteem.
Be Mindful
While helping your children work through issues and learn self-love, it’s important to be mindful and patient. If you’re looking for ideas, check out this list of the top 9 books on mindfulness for kids. You can also turn to this mini-course for parents on How to Teach Mindfulness to Kids.
Just remember to practice patience. You’ve got this! ?
