Page 21 - Female Photo Fashion Magazine Cover-10.pdf

GIVE YOUR CHILD UNSHAKEBLE CONFIDENCE
Building Your Child’s Mind:
As parents we know that building our child's sense of self esteem is important. Child development specialists tell us so. However, knowing it is important is not the same as knowing how to give your child a strong sense of self worth. There is no simple strategy, but there are several effective techniques parents can use to help boost self esteem in their child.
Let Them Know Their Value
The most important strategy is to show and tell your child how much you value him and appreciate him. Spend time with him, talk to him and really listen to what he has to say, and appreciate the things that interest him.
Empower Them To Make Decisions
You should also teach your child about decision- making and recognizing when he has made a good decision. Children make decisions all the time but often are not aware that they are doing so. There are a number of ways parents can help children improve their ability to consciously make wise decisions. Start first by giving children the ability to make decisions, for example, about what to wear for the day, and then letting them live with the consequences, such as being too hot in a long sleeve shirt on the beach. Then, gradually expand the scope of their decisions and discuss the problems and solutions involved to help the child evaluate the decisions they make.
Make Them Responsible For Their Emotions
Let children know they create and are responsible for any feeling they experience. Likewise, they are not responsible for others' feelings. Avoid blaming children for how you feel. Model appropriate ways to respond to their emotions.
Help Them Find Their Niche
Encourage your child to develop hobbies and interests which give him pleasure and which he can pursue independently. These can help him develop various skills which may help build confidence as well as provide comfort and distraction during difficult times. Also, these may well provide common ground to further social interaction with others.
Let Them Work It Out With Peers
Children must learn to work out disputes with siblings, friends, and classmates without adult intervention. As they grow older they won't always be under direct adult supervision, but also learning to work through social challenges can help build confidence and self esteem. Another important social tool is the ability to cope with teasing. Help your child develop "tease tolerance" by pointing out that some teasing can't hurt and exploring the reasons why some kids tease.
AN ARTICLE BY N.D. GREENE