From the moment they are born, children learn new skills at a frenetic pace. Not only the skills, but they also acquire the confidence to use them. As children grow older, this confidence becomes just as crucial as their skills.
To grow, children must trust their own capabilities. They should believe that they can handle any situation even though they fail at it the first time. And this self-confidence develops from trial and error. By experiencing skills and recovering from failure, they will build a stronger version of themself.
Now how can parents help their kids develop self-confidence and help them feel they can handle what comes their way?
Here are 12 ways to help your kids feel capable and get the most out of their skills and talents.
Demonstrate Confidence Yourself
Even if you’re not quite feeling it!
Seeing you handle new tasks with optimism sets an excellent example for your kids. That doesn’t mean you have to pretend to be perfect. Do acknowledge your stress, but don’t focus on it for long. Focus on the positive things you are doing for your kids.
Let Them Make Mistakes
Confident people don’t let fear of failure get in their way. Not because they’re sure they won’t ever fail, but because they know how to take setbacks in stride.
So, tell your kids that everyone makes mistakes. The real power is to learn from them and not to dwell on them.
Encourage Them to Try New Things
Learning new skills makes children feel capable and confident that they can handle whatever comes their way. So, next time instead of focusing all their energy on what they already good at, encourage your kids to try new things and let them diversify.
Allow Kids to Fail
Normally, you want to protect your child from failure. But trial and error is how kids learn.
So, let them try and fail. Falling short on a goal helps kids find out that it’s not incurable. It can also spur kids to greater effort, which will serve them well as adults.
Praise perseverance
Learning not to give up at the first frustration after one hitch is an important life skill.
Confidence and self-esteem are not about succeeding at everything all the time. It’s about being resilient enough to keep trying and not being upset if you’re not the best.
Help Kids Discover Their Passion
Exploring their own interests can help kids develop a sense of identity, which is crucial for building self-confidence. Seeing their talents grow will also give a massive boost to their self-esteem.
Set Realistic Goals
Setting goals and achieving them makes children feel strong. Help your kids turn their desires and dreams into actionable goals. You can do this by encouraging them to make a list of things they’d like to accomplish.
Then, try breaking down longer-term goals into realistic millstones. You’ll be validating their passions and helping them build the skills they’ll need to achieve their goals throughout life.
Celebrate Their Struggle
Praising kids for their accomplishments is great. However, it’s also important to let them know you’re proud of their struggles and efforts irrespective of the outcome.
It takes a lot of hard work to develop new skills. Results aren’t always instantaneous. Let your kids know you value the hard work they’re doing, whether they’re toddlers building with blocks or teenagers teaching themselves to play tennis. Celebrate their small successes and efforts.
Expect Them To Pitch In
They might complain, but kids feel more connected and valued when they’re given age-appropriate jobs. From picking up toys to doing dishes to babysitting younger siblings – all chores make them feel important and self-assured.
Yeah, homework and after-school activities are good, but the feeling of being needed by your family is priceless.
Embrace Imperfection
Perfection is unrealistic. Kids need to understand this as early as possible. Help your children see that whether it’s on TV, in a magazine, or on a friend’s social media feed, the idea that others are always happy, successful, and perfectly dressed is a fantasy – a devastating one. Instead, remind them that being less than perfect is human and totally okay.
Set Them Up for Success
Challenges are good for kids. But they should also have opportunities where they can be sure to find success. Help your kids get involved with activities that make them feel comfortable and confident enough to tackle a bigger challenge.
Show Your Love
Let your child know you love him regardless of anything. Win or lose the big game, good grades or bad. Let them know your support will always be with them, even if you’re mad at them.
Ensure your kid knows that you think he’s great — and not just when he shows success and does great things. It will boost his self-worth even when he’s not feeling good about himself.
So, these are the 12 tips and ways you can boost self-confidence and self-worth in your kids.
Do you have any other tips to boost kids’ confidence?
Share it in the comments below.
