How to Build Confidence in Kids
It’s been said that we spend the last 50 years of our lives recovering from the first 18. Our childhood experiences heavily influence our level of confidence and self-esteem, with most people gradually improving as they get older; however it can be easier to avoid damage in this process than repair it later on down the road – which is why parents should focus more on building up positive habits now instead! Read more about how to build confidence in kids.
Building Confidence in Children
The biggest first step in learning how to build confidence in kids, is to give your children and students a big head start with supportive strategies in place as they develop into amazing, unique young adults.
Show your children that you love them 100% of the time.
Let your child know they’re adequate exactly as they are. Withholding love because of a poor performance is among the worst options you can choose for them, and it will only make their sadness worse in time when things don’t turn out well at all – like with anything worth having!
It’s important for children not just to hear encouragement from us but also feel our support throughout every day life; giving up on someone before there has been any real chance doesn’t sound very encouraging or hopeful does it?
Provide frequent verbal reminders so that your children know that you love them unconditionally. If you are a teacher, you can help your students understand that mistakes happen, and you will still respect and support them on their learning journey.
Give your child control.
For example, let your child choose their clothes for the day. If they are very young, you can provide a few weather appropriate options to choose from. This helps them to feel a greater level of control when they can make some choices themselves. This kind of decision making skillset will serve them well in later years!
Help your child to set goals and be successful.
Children, like adults and teenagers can learn to deal with disappointment. Help your child see that they are in charge of how much effort is put into their goals by showing them what it takes for success; from growing a pumpkin right up until making the varsity tennis team!
Achieving any goal whether big or small should be something worth working hard at because you have control over this life – only YOU know when things don’t go according as planned which teaches kids invaluable lessons on having realistic expectations while also helping prepare themselves emotionally before trying again next time around.
Teach your child to do new things.
The more capable we become, the more confidence and self-esteem we possess. As we grow, our confidence and self-esteem increase. Learning new skills makes us feel capable because it teaches us how to do things well for ourselves – even if the task is challenging at first!
Younger children might need some assistance tying their shoes or telling time; older ones may require help preparing presentations or studying finals before an exam so they can complete them successfully without being overwhelmed with stress (or anxiety).
Compliment and praise your child frequently.
We all stand a little taller when we hear something positive about ourselves. Address the things your child does well with specific praise. For example, be very specific about what you are impressed with – instead of saying “good job at school today” try “good job on making a new friend during recess”.
Give your child a few chores.
Require your child to do a few age-appropriate chores around the house. This will teach your child discipline and independence. It also builds confidence and pride after they are done and can stand back and look at their job well done.
Performing chores teaches children important life skills. As parents and teachers, it can be super hard to stand by sometimes while children learn how to help at home or at school. It takes a lot of patience because most of the time the adults can complete the chores faster (and possibly better) than the children. BUT, it is critical that children learn the valuable skills and lessons from helping out around the house or school.
Not sure where to start? Life Skills of the Month includes 12 life skill hand outs for parents and 12 posters for the classroom or therapy room. Review a life skill in the classroom or therapy session with the student(s). Follow up with the corresponding hand out to send home to parents. Use this packet, to help with carry over of important life skills for ALL children.
How to Build Confidence in Kids – Avoid shaming your child.
There’s no value in making anyone feel bad about themselves. You only create an enemy. Teach your child that their behavior is incorrect. That’s very different than suggesting that they’re a bad person. Instilling confidence in your child even through the bad times is important.
Give your child a voice.
Listen to your child’s or student’s opinion. You might find that kids sometimes have the best solutions! At the very least, you’ll boost their confidence and sense of importance in themselves (which is never a bad thing).
Set a good example.
Take care of your own needs. Be kind and patient with yourself. Treat yourself the way you’d like your kids to treat themselves. Show them how to set limits and say “no” to unreasonable requests. Even if your kids aren’t listening, you can be certain they’re watching. Show them what confidence and self-esteem look like.
Give your child attention.
When you ignore your child or student, you send the message that they don’t matter. Turn off the TV or put down the phone while your child is trying to speak to you. Give them your full attention if you can for a few moments. If you truly don’t have time, ensure your child understands the situation.
Encourage your child. They need a lot of encouragement and support from loved ones in order to feel successful, safe enough with themselves on the inside where it counts most – which is often times why they struggle so much externally at first glance!
A motivating message for parents and teachers: Don’t ever stop believing in them no matter what happens or how hard things may seem sometimes; children are strong beyond belief.
How to Build Confidence in Kids – Teach them to Use a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is a theory developed by psychologist Carol Dweck who explains mindset as a self-perception or “self-theory” that people hold about themselves.
Growth Mindset Curriculum: Discussion Guide, PowerPoint /Posters, & Activities may be a great first start to building confidence in childre – Do some of your students give up at the first sign of frustration? Do they seem more motivated by what you think than the learning itself? Do they think they are stupid, compare themselves to others, or believe they are ‘bad’ at a certain subject? These students have a ‘fixed mindset’, which makes learning needlessly difficult. You can help your students develop a ‘growth mindset’.
The principles of ‘Growth Mindset’ come from multiple bodies of research that prove that we all have the power to develop our own intelligence and skills. Persistence, resiliency, and working smart are more important than talent.
This Growth Mindset curriculum, created by Thia Triggs, school based Occupational Therapist, includes 5 units that will help you to support your children in developing a Growth Mindset.
Prepare for the Future – Build Confidence in Kids
Giving your children and students the self-confidence and self-esteem needed to be happy and successful might be the greatest gift you can provide. It’s never too early to start preparing your child for the future.
