How to Boost a Child's Self-Esteem

Having a healthy sense of self-esteem doesn't just make your child a confident person, it can also help her combat peer pressure, set goals and meet personal objectives. Starting with simple activities your child can master and making her way up to more tricky tasks can help her gain the confidence she needs as she grows and develops, recommend the pediatric experts at the KidsHealth.

Instructions

    • 1

      Provide your child with a sense of security. Tell him you will always love him and be there for him, even if he has a problem or has made a mistake.

    • 2

      Give your child plenty of chances to master new tasks. Create age-appropriate opportunities for her to set and reach goals. For example, your kindergartner can learn how to tie her shoes on her own, your fourth-grader can get an A on her vocabulary test or your tween can make her own lunch. Make the tasks you give your child attainable, but not overly easy.

    • 3

      Praise your child when it's appropriate. Tell him how proud you are of his accomplishments and the road he has taken to get to his goals.

    • 4

      Instill a sense of responsibility in your child. Trust her to show you she can reach goals without standing over her and constantly telling her to do so. Make her wins her own, not yours.

    • 5

      Support your child with encouraging words, even when he doesn't succeed. Notice how hard he tries and not just how well he did at a task. For example, if he truly tries to fold the laundry just like you showed him but the clothes still look somewhat rumpled, let him know that you appreciate his effort and that some new things take time to learn.

    • 6

      Help your child develop self-esteem by showing her you value her contributions. For example, if she makes the salad for dinner, tell her you appreciate her help.

    • 7

      Don't overlook the everyday chances to build your child's self-esteem. Tell him how well he is doing with the simple stuff, such as clearing off the kitchen table or raking the leaves.

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