Time Management Blog

Effective Ways to Build Self-Esteem in Children

As parents, one of the main things we need to do is boost up and build our children’s self-esteem level. Teaching our kids to value themselves and their talents can be a tricky thing to do. Parents must be able to achieve a balance between allowing their kids enough independence to be able to decide for themselves and act on their own, and showing the guidance that will keep them in the right path.

If we show a certain level of disinterest, giving them too much freedom, then that can lead to rebellion but if we are too strict, then that can also lead to problems and hinder them from developing independently.

Although self-esteem can be developed at anytime in a person’s life, it is good to start early and train your child to trust in what they can do and to embrace their individual talents. Below are some activities that you can do with your child that can help them increase their level of self-esteem.

1. Teach self-affirming statements

Have them stand in front of a mirror and say what a great person they are, or you can begin for them as they look at themselves in the mirror, until they get comfortable doing it by themselves. Even if it seems childish, the practice is quite effective in boosting our self-esteem. You don’t have to continue with it, if is seems to be something they are not feel comfortable with. They can say self-affirming words without looking in a mirror and it can be just as effective in helping them feel positive about themselves and have greater self-confidence.

Come up with a song that your child can easily remember, perhaps one to a favorite tune or mantra like, ’Happy Birthday’, but just change the words. Every morning, tell your child the mantra and have your child tell hers to you. The mantra should be about each other; such as saying I love you in the morning or telling each other how great the other is.

There is really no exact way to do this. You can create your own variations as long as the essence of affirming oneself is there.

2. Playing the Positive Traits Game

Another activity that you can do with your child, that will not only boost their self-esteem, but also help in building his or her vocabulary, is the positive trait game. In this game, you will each tell each other the positive traits that one sees in the other. The catch is that the trait should start in a specific letter of the alphabet.

The positive trait game is a wonderful way to teach your kid to think positive thoughts and to acknowledge the traits and talents that make him or her unique. This is also a great way to make sure that he or she will grow up knowing where his or her strengths lie.

3. Do activities that they love

It is good to introduce new activities to them so they can find out which ones they enjoy and feel they are good at. One great way to do this, is through summer programs, where they have all kinds of things for kids to do. For instance, if he is good with drawing and crayons, it does not mean that he will not be good in music. So don’t discount music lessons as part of his summer curriculum.

Anyhow, if he does not like it, at least he has learned something new. By allowing them to explore different things, they will find out what they love to do and what they are really good at; this is a wonderful way to boost their self-confidence early in life. After all, when children are enjoying what they are doing, they become very enthusiastic and they are open to developing their skills further.

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