3 Ways to Raise a Confident Child

3 Ways to Raise a Confident Child

Self-confidence is the foundation of a child’s well-being. Here’s how parents can help their children build it.

headphones
6 min read

Self-confidence is the foundation of a child’s well-being. It is important to nurture your child’s self-worth in order for them to learn how to be comfortable with themselves.  How they see themselves affect how they act. As the American psychologist Abraham Maslow suggests in his theory called, “Hierarchy of Needs”, self-esteem is the second highest level of need to be met for an individual to achieve a strong mental health, and social happiness.

Children who feel good about themselves usually find it easier to play and get along with others. Self-confidence builds the ability for children to adapt easily during challenging situations. A child with healthy self-confidence has a realistic understanding of his strengths and weaknesses. This gives the child the ability to magnify his strengths and resolve his weaknesses, thus becoming the key in achieving success.

Here are tips to help your child develop self-confidence:

Invest on Attention and Time

To boost your child’s self-confidence, the first thing that parents can give is time. Investing in playtime benefits the relationship between a parent and a child. It allows opportunity for the children to show their attitude and behavior along with his developing interests and talents. At the same time, this puts parents on the children’s level. This opportunity gives them a better understanding on how to enrich said potential, and manage temperaments. Giving them the time of your day allows the children to strengthen their self-worth.

Another important thing to show your children during play is attention. Having an audience that pays attention, and shows interest while children showcase their talents is a major boost to their self-confidence. When you engage in fun activities with your children, it builds lasting memories that is basis for self-worth. They feel treasured and that you care for them. Showing your children that you are listening and enjoying your time together makes them feel that they are special and loved.

Let your child initiate

Between the ages of 18 months and three-years-old, children start developing autonomy. This is the time when children learn to do things for themselves such as feeding, choosing toys, or walking and moving without the physical assistance of their parents. This is the beginning stage of children’s need to assert their independence.

In his “Psychosocial Stages of Development” theory, American psychologist Erik Erikson states that during this stage, “it is critical that parents allow their children to explore the limits of their abilities within an encouraging environment which is tolerant of failure.”

For example, instead of cleaning up toys after playtime, a parent should allow an opportunity to accomplish the task when the child initiates it. A parent should be patient. Let the child try and clean up his toys until he succeeds. Parents should offer support through encouraging this independence, and looking out for instances when the child asks for assistance.

If during this early stage the children are supported and encouraged, self-confidence will more likely be developed as they feel a sense of accomplishment over their ability to do things on their own.  When children are repressed during this stage, they begin to feel inadequate of their abilities, and they may become overly dependent on adults, resulting to low self-esteem.

Give Genuine Compliments

There is no greater confidence booster than a genuine compliment from parents. Kids tend to admire their parents while growing up. They often look up to them for approval. Provide compliments that are genuine and heartfelt. Let them feel that you are proud of what they have accomplished. While compliments are easily given through words, parents can go the extra mile by transforming these praises into something tangible. Did your child win during the game? Display his trophy in the house. Does your child have a talent in painting? Hang his artworks on the wall. Collect pictures and memorabilia in a momentous event where your child did well. Let this tangible proof boost his self-confidence, especially when the need calls for it.

While giving away compliments  tend to reinforce self-confidence, it is important for parents to be reminded to not overdo it. Praises tend to lose their importance when done on a daily basis, especially when they are meaningless.  "When parents give praise that is not accurate to who the child really is, the words seem fake," says Dr. Robi Ludwig, a Care.com parenting expert. Don’t say that your child is an amazing athlete when he is not. You need to be careful and specific with the words that you chose.  "Tell your child you are proud that she works hard at always improving her game and how she takes direction from her coach," says Dr. Lori K. Evans, a clinical assistant professor in the department of child and adolescent psychiatry at the NYU Child Study Center.

Parents play a huge role in teaching self-confidence to their child. It is best to remind ourselves that children are able to boost their self-confidence most when placed in a healthy environment with supportive and caring adults as their models.

Reference

Recommended content

How to Support Your Partner After Paternity Leave

How to Support Your Partner After Paternity Leave

Due to fathers having fewer parental leaves, it is important for them to still find ways to support moms at home even after the end of their official paternity leave.

All the things that single mothers need to know about child support in the Philippines

All the things that single mothers need to know about child support in the Philippines

Find the information you need, from benefits and privileges to requirements and steps for claiming child support.

Encouraging my daughter to explore her talents

Encouraging my daughter to explore her talents

ParentZilla Solenn Heusaff-Bolzico shares her musings on raising her daughter, Thylane with husband Nico, and how both parents encourage her to explore her talents

Toothbrush

When a Child Refuses to Brush their Teeth: Ways to get them brushing

Do you ever feel like your nightly routine is a struggle, defined by begging, pleading, and bribing your little ones to brush their teeth? For most parents, getting kids to brush their teeth can be like pulling teeth. Or, in other words, near-impossible. But luckily, parents whose kiddos have gone on strike from this healthy habit can rejoice: the experts say there are real reasons that kids hate brushing their teeth. We’ve also rounded up some tips on how to get your kids excited about the task.

Here Are Bonding Activities with Mom and Dad that Can Help Little Ones Learn to Talk

Here Are Bonding Activities with Mom and Dad that Can Help Little Ones Learn to Talk

One thing you should do consistently: just keep talking!

Parenting... Is Your Marriage Ready?

Parenting... Is Your Marriage Ready?

Parenthood hastens marital decline - years of studies suggest this phenomenon. Even relatively happy and satisfied couples who consciously bring themselves into this transition experience a period of stressful and sometimes maladaptive change. Thus, it is crucial that you plan for this possibility and build resilience in your marriage before you start fantasizing being called “mommy” or “daddy.

realtalks-season-2-episode-3-banner

RealTalks Season 2 Episode 3

Congrats! You have a healthy and beautiful bundle of joy. Now, how to parent?

Average Rating
Average: 3.5 (4 votes)

Add your rating

Please login to leave us a comment.

Login