Every parent has a duty to guide the development and growth of their child’s self-esteem. Having a healthy self-esteem is very important for kids, as it allows them to seek out new experiences, take positive risks, and develop problem-solving skills.
As a parent, here are some of the tips you can employ to help your child develop a healthy sense of self-worth and confidence:
Thank Your Child Often
Expressing gratitude to your child is very important when it comes to developing their self-esteem. Many parents usually take for granted the effect that kind words have on their child. They fail to acknowledge the achievements of their kids, no matter how significant or simple they may be. This usually fosters a lack of self-worth, and may seriously dent the child’s self-esteem. As a caring parent, therefore, you should practice showing gratitude to your child by thanking them whenever they do something right, even if it is as simple as completing their homework or clearing the table after dinner. This will increase their confidence and promote a healthy sense of self-worth.
Acknowledge Progress
Many parents are naturally inclined to praise their children whenever they achieve significant goals, for instance, when they pass a school test or emerge winner in sports. However, simply acknowledging your child’s major achievements is not enough. You need to also practice appreciating the simple progress they make in their personal and academic lives. Praising your child for their progress, no matter how small, will instill a sense of belief in them and motivate them to improve even more.
Stop Comparing Your Children
Constantly comparing your children is very detrimental to their self-confidence, and can significantly damage their self-esteem. Furthermore, it can breed feelings of anger and resentment among your kids, which can result in strained sibling relationships. To avoid these problems, you should learn to appreciate the unique talents and abilities of your children rather than pit them against each other. This will create a healthy environment for them to develop their self-esteem since they will feel valued.
Tone Down on Sarcasm
Children, in general, are not very good at deciphering the context of a situation when sarcasm is used. You should, therefore, strive to use clear and empathic language when communicating with them.
Use Praise to Foster Growth
Children tend to respond well to kind words of encouragement. By praising them for their good work, you can significantly increase their self-worth and help them become more confident.
Take Away
A healthy self-esteem is very crucial to a child’s overall wellbeing. By applying these tips, you can help your child attain a sense of self-worth and improve their confidence.
