12 Ways To Boost Self-esteem In Children
“Childhood has its own unique ways of seeing, thinking and feeling; nothing makes less sense than wanting to replace our own. ”
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
We are so obsessed with creating our bubble of well-being as adults that we have forgotten the importance of cultivating self-esteem in our children.
It is very important that our children grow up in a world of balanced adults, because it will be the best that we can pass on to them.
However, if we think about it for a moment, we will easily realize that our flaws are visible.
Thus, children, as well as animals, perceive our fears and insecurities and easily adopt them. In this context, the point is that we must strive to make this happen to a lesser extent.
But how do we get there? First of all considering that we are their best example to follow, so we must develop our self-management.
Second, by taking care of the way we act and treat them, as well as the values we instill, that is, the way we educate them.
We don’t want children to be perfect because we don’t want to cultivate pride. We want children to love themselves and have confidence in themselves and their potential.
In the rest of this article, we’ll give you 12 keys to boosting self-esteem in children, which will pay off if you put them into practice.
1- It is important to take them into account and devote time to them exclusively
We must take into account what the child asks of us and claims of us. Also, if we take a walk with them, we should not stay fixed on our cell phones, because the child will be looking to dedicate looks and moments to us that we are going to lose.
2- Correct their mistakes, but with tenderness
Without cries and with patience, make the child understand that you are learning together and that the exchange is reciprocal. The latter is a sponge that will absorb the good and the bad.
3- Promote their autonomy by giving them responsibilities
Let them make small decisions about their relationships or their daily habits.
For example, they can cook with you or prepare their meals, help you put the dishes away, set the table, choose the clothes they want to put on, etc.
4- don’t compare them
Do not compare a child, neither with their siblings, nor with their friends, nor do you compare with adults. No one is better or worse than anyone, we are all different.
5- Don’t label them “clumsy”, “bad” or even “stupid”
It doesn’t help grow up with healthy self-esteem at all. When the child does something wrong there are many ways to say to him: “it is not good to hit your brother, you must not break your toys or you did not do a good job”.
6- Do not label them as “smart”, “good” or “intelligent”
The child will not understand on what basis you are referring to him in this way. Instead, you can tell him: “You did your homework well, you tidy up or I like to see you paint”. That is to say, judge their behavior, but not the children.
7- Establish clear limits and be consistent with them
“If you don’t put your toys away, we won’t go to the park”. In this situation, the child will want to negotiate but there are no half measures, if you have put a reasonable condition on him, you must assert it, otherwise he will not take it seriously.
8- Value the efforts, not the results.
Do not focus on whether he had a very good or a passable, the important thing is that the child was constant and that he made an effort, value that.
9- Don’t overdo your praise and be concrete.
Tell him what he did well and why you liked it, so the child knows what appeals to you. You have put away your toys very well and your soft toys are noticeably different to you are very tidy .
It is important that you comment to other people in front of the child about their accomplishments and efforts, as this will make them feel useful and important.
10- Approve their emotions
If the child cries it is because he is likely to have hurt himself, so we must give importance to this emotion. Avoid saying: It’s okay ! If there is something that makes him feel bad, it is important that we give the appropriate relevance.
11- Do not overprotect them, you will develop their insecurity and their dependence
Don’t be on guard or watch him all the time, because you will generate bubble children.
Children need a dynamic that will generate opportunities for them to develop steadily and not stagnate.
12- Reserve moments for each of your children
Try to find an individual space for each of them, as being important and protagonist for a few minutes or hours is very comforting for them.
Try to show them that for you the key is to devote to each other every now and then, caring about how they feel and trying to generate innovative exchanges.
Images courtesy of nuvolanevicata
