7 Simple Steps to Develop Your Child’s Self-Confidence
It is very important for parents to train their children to be confident. Confidence is the path to success. Confidence is a belief in your ability to master your body, behavior and the challenges you encounter in the world. If our children believe in themselves, they will take more risks in life, accomplish their goals and achieve great things. The good thing is confidence can be developed, no matter a child’s situation or feelings. Parents can help improve a child’s self-confidence by giving their children many opportunities to practice and master their skills. Let them make mistakes and be there to boost their spirits so they keep trying, even if they sometimes fail. Parents are the main source of a child’s sense of self-worth. If you don’t know where to start, here are the most effective ways to help your children become happy, self-assured, and successful.
1. Help them improve their self-image by improving their body language. One can control their self-image if they can act on it. Eventually, the image you are seeking becomes reality. Try this: Make your body tall and open with your shoulders down, back straight and head up. You will feel more confident in an instant. Your child must think of himself as being someone who can make things happen and who is worthy of love.
2. Let your children make their own choices. When children make their own age-appropriate choices, they feel more powerful and therefore more confident.
3. Be careful about praising them too much. It does not make children work harder or do better. In fact, if we tell children they are exceptionally smart and talented, they are easily discouraged when something is too difficult for them. If we do not overly praise our children, they will be more motivated to work harder when faced with challenges. In addition, it is better to praise effort and not end-results.
4. Teach your children good manners. It might seem like odd advice, but knowing how to properly address a person, shake hands or even set a table can give your child a kick-start to building self-confidence.
5. Teach your child to become a problem-solver. Help them work through problems instead of solving them for your child. As a parent, you need to guide your children in their problem-solving efforts, but do not do the task for them. Sometimes, when they are facing frustrations, it can be an excellent opportunity for them to develop feelings of confidence, competence and mastery. You should encourage your children, but do not let them depend on you. Let them be the ones who find the solution. Stand by and be helpful but keep your hands to yourself except to give appropriate encouragement.
6. Give them responsibilities. Raise a confident child by giving them household duties. It is good for you and good for them. Why is this important? This helps them feel more valuable and channels their energy into desirable behaviour and teaching skills. They can make the bed, clean the dust or even wash the dishes if they are old enough. But remember: Don’t try to improve what they’ve done!
7. Improve your own self-confidence. This is the most important step. If you have low self-esteem, take all the steps you need to heal yourself. You are their role model. If you become a stronger and more confident, your children will look up to you!
In the end, our job as parents is to raise happy children and the work starts when our children are very young. All children eventually grow up and live their lives without us. How they live will also depend on whether we have been able to rise above our own stress and anxiety as well as our urge to control our children. While each child is different, if parents follow these general guidelines, it will help to build their child’s confidence.