How to Instill Confidence in Children
Children are products of their environment. Each child responds to his surroundings in his own way. Situations and gestures that foster confidence and self-esteem are vitally important to the development of children of all ages. Too often we forget that children retain every word or action that we direct toward them. Positive reinforcement on a daily basis makes a world of difference.
Instructions
Keep a reign on your emotions when children are around. Children respond to the moods and emotions of those around them. If you are upset, angry or sad, they will pick up on those emotions and act accordingly. If you are happy, excited and full of joy, they will be too. Many studies have shown that houses that have stressful family environments produce children who are over stressed and on edge. More stable homes with little fighting or stress, have proven to provide a better learning environment. Recognize the effort put forth by the child. Children may try their very best and still fall short of the mark. That's OK, it's the effort that should be praised. Not everyone can do everything right the first time. It may take several attempts. Each attempt should be praised for exactly what it is. Give children rewards. Bribing a child to do something or reach an achievement has short-lived results. A few dollars or a small tokens are easily lost and forgotten. Rewards, on the other hand, build memories that last a lifetime. Having a child work hard to stay on the honor roll and then getting to spend the day with his father or other male role model at the ballpark will make lasting memories that will be a constant reminder to the child that the result is worth the effort put into something. Give small notes and reminders to a child for her accomplishments, which will let her know you are proud of her. It will also let her know you remember what she has done. It's also a tangible keepsake that she can put on a mirror or in a notebook that will remind her that you are there for her. Encourage children to try new things. Praise them often when they succeed. Comfort them if they fall short. Either way, let them know how much you love them and support them. Supply the motivation for them to attempt the challenge again. Defeat is only defeat if you don't strive to overcome the obstacles. You don't always have to win to build confidence. Help children to find their niche and special talents. Encourage them to find their special skills and hone them to their level of perfection. Allow them the opportunity to fail. It's through failure that a child learns to succeed. How can a child be a graceful winner if he has never lost. It's through losing and making mistakes that a child learns to do things correctly. It's through trial and error that children learn how to overcome obstacles. Instill respect and appreciation in your child. If it wasn't for another child or group of children, they would not have been able to accomplish anything. Respect their efforts and be grateful for their attempts. Giving the children the confidence to hold their head high whether they win or lose is something to strive for.
