The Importance of Self-Esteem in Children
Your Child’s Healthy Sense of self-esteem is their mental foundation. A self-assured child is confident, secure, happy, well-adjusted, and successful. They can solve problems that come their way, and their self-esteem thrives under a loving parent’s nurturing care.
How to Build a Child’s Healthy Sense of Self-Esteem
1. Accept Your Child for Who They Are
Most importantly, accept your child for who they are, and help them do the same. Teach your child that nobody is perfect and that everyone makes mistakes. Show them how to learn and grow from their mistakes, and let them know that you also make mistakes.
Children with high self-esteem are able to take lessons from mistakes and apply them down the road. A child with low self-esteem becomes frustrated and resorts to self-deprecating behavior, such as calling themselves “stupid” and vowing to “never try that again.”
2. Help Your Child Discover Their Abilities and Talents
Help your child discover their abilities and talents, and encourage outlets for them to build on and improve them. Praise a child not only for improvements in abilities and skills but also for the traits they naturally possess.
3. Encourage Positive Decision-Making(Child’s Healthy Sense of Self Esteem)
Encourage your child to make positive choices. Open an honest dialogue with your child and discuss the possibilities with them. Children who learn skills for making positive choices when they are younger are well-prepared for the tougher choices they have to make when they are older.
4. Spend Quality Time Together(Child’s Healthy Sense of Self Esteem)
Ensure that you spend lots of quality time with your child, at least once a week. Whether you are shooting baskets or going out to grab a hamburger, take time to talk and keep in touch. If you find it difficult to squeeze in quality time during a hectic week, take the time to talk about things during the drive to school or while they are helping you put the groceries away.
By following these steps, you can help your child build a strong sense of self-esteem, setting them up for a confident and successful future.