Building Self Confidence in Children

Children need to be made self-confident from an early age in order to prepare them to face the world. Children with low self-confidence are unable to talk freely, may express themselves through drawings or talk through puppets. They are often shy with strangers.

Parents and teachers hold key responsibility in building self-confidence in children. Here we discuss the dominant factors that help in building self confidence in children.

Your own Self confidence

Parents are the mirror in which the children see their reflection. Thus, if the parents have a confident personality then children will be greatly motivated to build self confidence. They see their parents making decisions for the family in daily life. They hear them talk about their problems.

If either one of the parent does not have enough self confidence to talk to the other; it can bring down the self-confidence of the child. A girl child who grows watching her mother lacking self confidence in front of her father may not feel confidence in front of the opposite sex as she grows up. It is unhealthy for her psychological growth.

Children will do what they see. Thus, it is extremely important that those who have the responsibility to raise the child must be confident individuals.

Confidence through Better Exposure

Building self-confidence in children is a daily task. The earlier it is started the easier the job becomes over the years. Sow the seeds of confidence in the child before it starts going to school.

Applaud on their actions and show enthusiasm. Encourage them to talk more and treat them with respect.

Teach them new things like name of colors, name of animals and things. Knowledge will help children to feel confident in school.

Games greatly help in developing self-confidence in children. Play with them and allow them to win as often as possible. But when they lose encourage them to perform better next time. This will help the child to re-gain self confidence even if they lose at a game in school or obtain low grades. Encourage both indoor and outdoor games for children to have better exposure.

Ask them to invite kids from the neighborhood to play together. This will allow the children to socialize with other kids.

Praise and Criticize Wisely

Your child may be the apple of your eye but others may not think the same. Therefore, children should not be pampered to such extend that the slightest of criticism could make them lose their confidence.

Teach the child to believe in themselves even if others do not. Give them simple examples of self confidence to make them understand this. You may narrate a story to your child about how you overcame your nervousness with self confidence in your childhood.

Pay Attention to Them

Listen to the child when he/she is trying to say something to you. Observe them carefully. Is the child talking in a low voice? Does the child seem to be afraid of you? Encourage the child with words of love and affection to speak louder and with clarity.

One cannot ask a child to go on talking while you are ironing your clothes or doing chores of the house. Giving attention to the children gives their confidence an instant boost.

Never make Fun of them

It is true that the child needs to be taught about sense of humour but they will take their own good time learning it. Meanwhile, make sure that their confidence is not hit hard when they do or say something foolish.

Some child face speech related difficulties such as stammering and stuttering. No one in family should make fun of them.

One important thing to remember while building self-confidence in children is that children have a high probability to lose self confidence soon. Therefore, be prepared to handle frequent swifts from high to low confidence.