How to Build Self-esteem in Children

Introduction

One of the most crucial elements of a child’s healthy growth is self-esteem. How well-adjusted a child is socially, behaviorally, and emotionally will determine how they deal with obstacles, peer pressure, and other difficulties throughout life.

A protective element for healthy mental health is having a high sense of self-worth. Building self-confidence benefits social behavior and help child in stressful and challenging situations.

How Self-Esteem Look

In short, a child’s self-esteem is how they see themselves, and  their own capabilities. It is influenced by how much affection they experience and by the encouragement and support—or criticism—that kids get from significant others in their lives, such their parents and teachers.

Being self-assured does not include believing that you are the center of the universe or that your needs come before those of others. Arrogance, narcissism, or entitlement is not characteristics of good self-esteem. Your child’s self-esteem should be balanced with other crucial virtues like kindness, empathy, excellent manners, generosity, and a feeling of thankfulness.

Low Self-Esteem in Children

The sense of safety and acceptance your kids get from knowing how much you love them has a significant influence on how they view themselves. Your unwavering devotion lays the groundwork for all the strong and positive relationships they will have in the future.

Give your kids hugs before you go, snuggle up and read a book together, and always show them how much you care. Your children’s development will be supported by this foundation of love when they forge their own friendships, build ties with coworkers, and establish their own social networks.

Tips to build up self esteem in children

· Play together and enjoy yourself

Playing with your child shows them that you value their time and that you appreciate their presence. There are many benefits for both of you just to be having fun with your child.

Children not only gain confidence in their capacity to create strong social ties and be intriguing and engaging individuals, but studies have shown that when children engage in healthy play, their chances of happiness rise and their risk of sadness and anxiety falls.

Boosting your child’s confidence can also help them deal with returning to school and other social activities. Additionally, having fun and playing together can help you both decompress.

· Give Your Child Duties and Responsibilities

Giving your child age-appropriate duties to do offer them a feeling of success and purpose. Let them know you appreciate their efforts even if they don’t accomplish something properly.

Kids feel more in control of their life when they have duties and obligations. Additionally, taking on little household tasks with responsibility may significantly increase confidence and resilience in a time of uncertainty.

· Support Independence

The primary school years are a time when children’s independence is rapidly developing. Many kids start spending time alone at home, walking alone to school, and assisting younger siblings by the time they are in middle school.

Allowing your children to become more independent is vital. For example, let them handle organizing school assignments, making sure their soccer outfits are packed and ready, and talking to instructors about any issues on their own. Children’s freedom and self-esteem are hampered by the so-called “helicopter parenting” approach. They also lose their independence.

Encourage your children to speak out for themselves and seek clarification when faced with difficulties rather than waiting for you to step in. They will become more independent as a result, which will boost their self-esteem.

· Avoid Insulting Your Child

Be sure to keep the behavior apart from your child when they misbehave or do anything that annoys you. Because you are a human, you may undoubtedly become upset or even furious when your child presses your buttons. Although having these emotions is entirely natural, refrain from calling your child names or shaming them.

Instead, speak respectfully to your youngster. Don’t shout. Don’t let emotions influence your discipline. Using logical and natural consequences while speaking to your child in a nice and friendly manner are effective ways to do this.

· Make mistakes a teaching opportunity

Be sure to emphasize that making errors and not being flawless are part of being human. Help your child to view setbacks as opportunities for development and advancement.

When your child errs, have patience with them. And if you see that kids frequently misbehave in public or at school, try your best to make such instances an opportunity for learning. By doing this, you may give your child more self-assurance and demonstrate that making errors is not the end of the world as long as they deal with it maturely.

· Observe Technology Use

Most people in today’s society, including parents and students, are constantly plugged into their electronics. With their smartphones, tablets, and laptops, people may text, post on social media, do business, finish their education, and often check their email. Naturally, this took on more significance during the pandemic.

All this connectedness has both positive and negative aspects. It’s advantageous since it allows individuals to work more efficiently and maintain social connections while being safe and secure in their own homes. But if it disrupts family communication and connections, internet engagement may be costly.

Decide as a family what internet activity is important and what is only for fun. Create a schedule where you and your family members alternate between screen time and non-screen activities like going on walks, riding bikes, reading, and playing games.

· Let them produce and exhibit their works

Allow your kid to showcase their creations all throughout the house. Ask your kid to share with you every time they complete a piece of writing, a narrative, or a project for school. Ask them what they want people to think or feel about their creations as well as what they find most appealing.

Giving kids the chance to display their creations or talk about them teaches them that their labor of love is worthwhile. Additionally, it conveys the idea that their views are significant.

Encourage your child to showcase their work around the house even if they do most of it at home rather than in school. By doing this, you may help people develop their self-confidence and inspire them to keep up the hard work on their creative projects.

A Word from TalktoAngel

One of the finest things you can do as a parent is to work on boosting your child’s self-esteem. You will also position your children for success now and in the future, even if it might occasionally need a little additional work.

But don’t hold yourself to the same standard as your children—don’t demand perfection from yourself either. The fact that you might not always get it right is OK. Even if you occasionally make a mistake, as long as you regularly attempt to spread love and happiness, you are boosting their confidence.

Receiving therapy to better understand their feelings can assist children; in particular, change their behavior and how they view themselves and other people. In order to increase confidence and self-esteem, online Child Counsellor at TalktoAngel use a variety of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Applied Behavior Analysis or Role Playing, and Modeling.