Confidence refers to a person feeling good about themselves and believing in their own capabilities. It builds the foundation for a child’s well-being and is key to learning new skills. From as young as infancy, it is important for parents to provide children with a safe and nurturing environment for them to develop self-esteem.
As children grow up, having a healthy amount of self-esteem allows them to deal with their emotions and learn to trust in their own abilities. They are more likely to discover new skills and talents, cope with their mistakes, and try again till they get better at it. Like any other skill, confidence develops slowly over time and it starts from home. Here are a few ways you can help your children boost their self-esteem:
1. Let them learn from you
You have probably heard that confidence is mostly just faking it until you make it. Taking on a positive attitude and being visibly confident, even if you do not always feel it, show your children what confidence looks like. While you do not have to do everything flawlessly, focusing on the bright side of things teaches them to tackle new challenges positively.
2. Show how to take setbacks in stride
As you are modelling confidence, it is also important to let your children know that making mistakes is inevitable. The best thing you can do for them is to show them how you bounce back. The key to confidence is not letting failure stop you from reaching your goals. Instead, accept the lessons you get from the failure and show your child how to move forward.
3. Encourage them to step out of their comfort zone
One of the best things you can do for your child in the long term is to nudge them out of their comfort zone instead of focusing solely on what they’re already good at. Trying something new helps children feel capable and confident that they can tackle whatever comes their way. When they gain new skills, they also gain a sense of accomplishment that improves their self-esteem and self-confidence.
4. Accept their failures and avoid harsh criticism
Every parent wants to safeguard their children from disappointment or any other negative feelings. Unfortunately, that is just impossible. Making mistakes is how children learn, not to mention how they gain the resilience needed to move on from the failures. If your child does something wrong, correct them with care and patience. Focus on informing them of how they can improve their behaviour the next time. When needed, show them how to avoid such mistakes.
5. Praise your child’s efforts
While praising your child for their achievements is great, it is also crucial to let them know that you are proud of their efforts regardless of the outcome. Celebrating efforts allow them to realise how much they may have accomplished and in turn, feel inspired to take on challenges in the future. Even when faced with failures, the best way to build self-confidence is by encouraging them to learn from their mistakes and try again without giving up.
6. Support their learning journey
Children feel empowered when they unlock new skills or gain achievements, no matter the scale. Exploring their own interests can help them gain a sense of identity, which is essential to building confidence. It is vital for parents to support children during this learning journey and work alongside them to achieve new skills. You can also try helping your children set achievable goals or give them age-appropriate responsibilities like making their bed to give them a sense of achievement and confidence.
Conclusion
Boosting children’s self-esteem will make a big difference in their lives as it provides the confidence to bring out the best in their abilities. With the aim to develop confident learners at Raffles Kidz, one of the best preschools in Singapore, our well-rounded curriculum caters to the holistic development of the whole child through purposeful play, self-exploration and inquiry-based learning. Find out more about us by booking a tour with us today!
