Confidence is the biggest weapon, and parents can arm their kids with it. Read how!
With alarming rates of kids being diagnosed with anxiety today, bolstering their self-esteem has become the need of the hour!
Int his article...
- Tips on boosting confidence
Cultivating confidence in children is vital to their growth so that they can feel empowered enough to conquer any roadblock that comes their way. Let’s work towards making our kids thrive so that nothing holds them back later in life. It seems like a daunting task but we’re here to help ease that pressure with these tips to remember:
Have realistic goals
This one is mostly for you to remember. Don’t have unrealistic expectations from your kid to score a century at his first cricket match! Teach your kids to have reasonable goals as well so that failure is not a crushing blow to their dreams. Set short-term goals that are easy to achieve and then slowly build their confidence to push their limits.
Positive self-talk
This is a healthy habit to teach your kids from a young age. We continuously fill our heads with negative thoughts, for instance, “I can’t do this”, “I am going to fail,” and so on. Failure is a part of life and thus it’s important to not dwell on the negatives. Teach the kids to practice positive affirmations such as
- I am brave enough to try new things
- I can achieve my dreams
- I learn from my mistakes
- I always give my best
Try new things
Mastering one thing is good, but encourage them to be open to learning new things. Gaining new skills enhances confidence, inturn making them feel accomplished at being able to handle something new.
Appreciate
Applaud even the smallest efforts of your kids. Trying something is already a victory that needs to be appreciated. Hang their artwork on the fridge, make a display of their medals and awards. Be their cheerleader!
Resist comparison
Avoid comparing your kids to their siblings or other kids. Comparison often can be heart-breaking as it plants the seeds of self-doubt, making the kids lose their confidence. They feel as if they have failed you and then begins a cycle of low self-esteem and low self-worth.
Celebrate their efforts because more than the destination, it is the journey that counts!
(Ayushi Gupta is a freelance writer with Children's Community Foundation)
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