Children and Self-Esteem

Your children's self-esteem is an important element of their mental health. It is how they feel about themselves, and poor self esteem in children should never be ignored.

A child needs appreciation and love, and parents play a crucial role in helping their children feel good about themselves, improve their self-image, build their self-confidence, and boost their feelings of self-worth.

Communication and Self-Esteem in Children

Good communication between you and your child is important in raising them with a healthy dose of self-esteem and confidence.

But do you as a parent forget to do your part and fail to use encouraging words such as "Great!", "Wonderful!" or "Good job!" when your child deserves or needs it?

You are a very powerful figure in the life of your child, and you can help build your child's self-esteem in many ways.

Positive Statements Make a World of Difference

Your words and actions have a tremendous impact on the confidence of your children, who remember these positive statements you say to them.

Words like "I love how you..." or "You've improved a lot on..." or "I really appreciate the way you..." Say them often to your child. Smile, nod, hug your child, or pat them on the back to show them your appreciation.

What happens when your child has high self-esteem?

They act independently and assume responsibility
They are able to handle both positive and negative emotions equally well.
They are able to tolerate frustration and handle peer pressure much better.

In other words, they'll live a normal, well-balanced and happy life. Isn't that what you want for them?

Social Groups and Children's Self-Esteem

The choice of friends and social groups can also influence the development of a kid's self-esteem. Becoming part of a group which accepts a child's individuality and respects their opinions will help them boost their self-esteem, in contrast to a group that seeks to put the child down.

Cliques play a role, too. Belonging to a popular group in school can strengthen a child's self-confidence, as opposed to being part of a group that is ostracized.

What Can You Do to Help?

Parents have to work for a living to put food on the table. When the topic of work comes around and your child is present, it is good to say something positive about work so they will adopt the same attitude toward school.

You also can help your kid with homework, and it is okay to help them do some of it and let them work on the rest.

Getting your child into sports can help build self-esteem. It surely wouldn't hurt for them to try something new, be it soccer or basketball. These team sports help foster team-work and camaraderie and will help improve your kids' social skills.

If your child is not doing well in sports compared to other children, perhaps it is time for you to buy a basketball rim or a mini court and have it installed at home. Playing with your kids may be what is needed for them to do better in the game.

Not everyone has talent in sports. But your child may have other skills to be able to participate in other activities to help boost their self-esteem.

Music lessons or art classes are just a few. The child has to start somewhere and, perhaps, this may even become their life's passion.

Healthy Parent-Child Relationships

There can be a perfect relationship between parents and children when parents become role models in providing love and support within the family. And the perfect time to start building such a relationship is when children are still young, when parents can make the biggest impact on their children's lives.

Children are by nature obedient and loving toward their parents, and it is up to parents to use this advantage in instilling good values in their children so they will become good and strong-willed individuals.

Parents can contribute in developing positive feelings of self-worth and confidence in their children. Let us look at some ways by which a parent can help build self esteem in a child.

Appreciate Your Child

Will constant and sincere appreciation make your child feel special? They sure will!

But some parents speak with their children only if they need something from them or if they need to correct them. Parents must take the time to speak with their children about the good things they have done.

As a parent, make sure that whatever you say to your child is sincere and appropriate. When you really need to correct your kids when they made a mistake, do not be judgmental, but instead talk to them in a positive way.

Your child may not be mature yet, but they know when they are simply being criticized and judged. So offer a reason why they are being corrected. Better yet, work with your children to arrive at a solution so such a situation will not happen again.

One of the most important responsibilities of a parent is to try their best to help build their children's self-esteem. Doing so will have a great impact on your child's future success.

A Self-Esteem Booster For Kids: Do Something Different

There is another way to raise self-esteem in young children.

Do something that has never been done before while spending some quality time with them. You and your son can go fishing, or you and your daughter can bake some cookies.

There is a chance you and your son will not catch a fish, or the cookies get over-cooked. But the point is that your child will not know without trying, and part of helping them build self-confidence is being able to experience disappointments and becoming better persons regardless of the results.

You as a parent should be supportive of your child regardless of the outcome, and should always give words of encouragement. Your encouragement and support are important ingredients in helping raise your child's self-esteem.

Self-Esteem For Children with a Learning Disability

If you have a child with a learning disability, make sure that you understand well the nature of your child's problem. Work closely with teachers and other people to make your kid's environment friendly.

They may fail many times over, but they will get back on their feet faster than everyone else if you support and help your children build their self-esteem early in life.