Every parent wants their child to grow up with a confidence that allows them to make friends, work hard and believe that they can achieve anything the put their mind to, but it doesn’t always work out that way, and many children start out in life with very little confidence in themselves or their own abilities.
The good news is, if your child has low self-esteem, there are a lot of things you can do to help them turn it around, as you will see below.
1. Dress for Success
As adults, we know that the right outfit can make anyone feel like a million bucks, and this is as true for your little one too. While self-esteem isn’t all about appearances, feeling good in their clothes can give your child a serious confidence boost. Whether it’s a superhero costume that makes them feel invincible or a chic new jacket from the girls’ clothing store that turns heads at school, letting your child have a say in what they wear can empower them to express their unique style.
So next time you’re shopping for kids’ clothing, let them choose something that makes them feel like the star they are. And if it’s a bit over the top? Embrace it!
2. Celebrate Their Wins—Big or Small
One of the best ways to build your child’s self-esteem is by celebrating their achievements. And we’re not just talking about the big stuff like winning a soccer match or acing a test. Even the small victories—like tying their shoes for the first time or mastering that tricky Lego set—deserve a round of applause.
Create a fun ritual for celebrating these moments. Maybe it’s a high-five, a special treat, or a mini dance party in the living room. Whatever it is, make sure they know you’re proud of their efforts, not just the outcome. And who knows, you might just find yourself joining in on the celebration too.
Recommended reading: Do You Know When Your Child Loses Confidence?
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3. Encourage Independence
There’s something magical about letting your child do things on their own—even if it means stepping back and watching them make a mess of it at first. Whether it’s pouring their own cereal, picking out their clothes (good luck with that!), or packing their school bag, giving your child the freedom to handle small tasks can do wonders for their self-esteem.
Of course, the key here is to offer guidance without taking over. Let them figure it out, make mistakes, and learn from them. And when they succeed? Watch their confidence soar. Just be prepared for the inevitable, “Look what I did, all by myself!” moments—they’re coming.
4. Teach Them Positive Self-Talk
Words really do have power over us. If we think bad thoughts and tell ourselves that we can’t do it, then we probably won’t, but if we tell ourselves we are good and we can do it, even if we don’t quite believe it, you know what? Chances are we will. So, to help your kids be more confident, it’s a good idea to teach them positive self-talk – to teach them how to say positive things like “I can do this,” or, “I’m awesome, just the way I am.”
You can even make it a game! Every time you catch them saying something positive about themselves, give them a sticker or token.
5. Encourage Hobbies and Interests
Whatever your child is into, whether it be playing the guitar or writing stories, try to encourage them to do more of it and raise them for their efforts. Doing so will show them that they have your support, and this will definitely boost their confidence.
Here’s to confident kids!
