Self esteem & Children

Why is Self-Esteem in Children so Important? Self-esteem development begins very early in children and is intricately linked to t he kind of adults they become. Repeated failure can lead to self-esteem issues and a drop in confidence. On the contrary, success tends to instil a sense of accomplishment and assurance in their abilities. However, children need to experience a sense of pride in their actions without feeling like they deserve their victories without any hard work. On the other hand, low self-esteem often prevents kids from handling daily challenges that other children breeze through.

Kids with high self-esteem will naturally find that their confidence bears desired results, which further increases their chances of taking on more challenging tasks to prove themselves. Consider it a positive feedback loop: The more secure they feel, the better they do. It is especially important that they are accepted by authority figures like parents and teachers, whose support and encouragement can drive them.

Some tips to build self-esteem:

1. Let Them Choose Allowing your child the freedom of choice lets them feel in control of their lives. Consider giving them options for their meals, clothes for the day, and so on, but avoid too many choices, especially if they are very young. Ensure they are aware of the consequences of their choices as well, so they can make their opinions accordingly.
   

2. Reassure Them Regularly Children need to know that they don’t have to be perfect all the time. Try to show compassion and understanding in your reactions to their failures. The more disappointment you show, the harder it hits their confidence levels. This applies to small children as well, for milestones such as learning to walk, clothe themselves and so on.
   

3. Give Them Genuine Praise Children need to know that they don’t have to be perfect all the time. Try to show compassion and understanding in your reactions to their failures. The more disappointment you show, the harder it hits their confidence levels. This applies to small children as well, for milestones such as learning to walk, clothe themselves and so on.
   

4. Establish Boundaries While allowing them the freedom to do things at their pace, do set limits and requirements. For example, if it is their job to wash vessels or clean their room on a particular day, insist that they finish their job. Help them understand that not doing their part affects the people around them as well.
   

5. Do Not Insult Them It is never OK to take your anger out on your children. Never abuse them, call them names, insult them in any manner, or downplay their feelings. Remember that you love your child, even if their actions affected you. Negative reinforcement might make them change their ways temporarily but can devastate their self-esteem in the long run.
   

6. Let Them Figure Things Out If you do everything for your child, they will never learn to work their problems out for themselves. Clothing your toddler might be more efficient, but it will not improve their motor skills or give them a sense of accomplishment. It might be scary for you, but letting them take risks is the best way for them to deal with new challenges. For instance, allow your child to pour themselves a glass of water even if it means they will spill half of it. They will know how to face the problem next time.