4 Ways to Help Your Child’s Self Esteem
Does your child suffer from low self-esteem? It’s more common than you may think. We adults often forget how challenging life is for children. They have to navigate school with other kids, handle learning, deal with occasionally contradictory information from the different grownups in their lives, and so much more. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to help boost your child’s feelings of self-worth.
I’m assembly presenter Joe Romano., For the last 30+ years, I’ve performed school assembles in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and our nation’s capital Washington DC. My school shows are full of interactive fun and are designed to help kids get excited about the school’s curriculum. This article will outline several ways to help your child feel good about themselves.
Child’s Self-Esteem Tip #1: How to Teach Your Child How to Do Things
When you’re helping your child learn new skills, there is a simple formula you can follow to help them grasp these new concepts. Start by showing them what to do. Allow them to ask questions. Then let them start doing the task but be near so they can turn to you for help if needed.
Remember that just telling your child what to do may not be enough. Remember we as humans learn using our five senses. We see, touch, smell, taste, and hear. The more senses we can get involved when learning new things the better. We retain more, understand more, and remember the information longer.
Child’s Self-Esteem Tip #2: Model the Behavior You Want
Many parents are surprised when their children don’t enjoy doing something that they (the parents) don’t do or enjoy. Want an example? Reading! The number of adults in the United States who never pick up another book after they graduate from high school or college is frightening.
Here’s the worst part: Kids model the behavior of their trusted adults. That means if your child doesn’t see you read, they are less likely to find reading fun. It’s not absolute, of course, but it is a risk. The solution? Adopt the behavior you want your child to model.
Be mindful of what you say around your child. Many of us suffer from low self-esteem. It’s not just a childhood problem. But if you’re a parent and you openly say, “I’m such an idiot” (for example) around your child, they’ll pick up on it. And some of what you say or believe will sink in. And it affects them negatively. Be kind to yourself. Your child will pick up on it!
Child’s Self-Esteem Tip #3: Zero in on Strengths
Too often we don’t look at our positives. It’s sort of baked into our society. Many of us focus on what we don’t have rather than what we have. This extends not only to our physical attributes but our skills, too.
Many schools put a premium on sports. Wins are celebrated. And as students move to high school, some schools’ cultures treat athletes as min-celebrities in school. That’s all well and good. But what about the kids who are not athletically inclined?
Sports is just one example. But many kids focus on their weaknesses and ignore their strengths. Encourage your child to explore topics, activities, and subjects that they show an aptitude for. Help build their esteem by encouraging them to explore their artistic side. Or if they have an ear for music, encourage them to join a choir, band, or some other outlet for music.
Child’s Self Esteem Tip #4: Praise Strategically & Carefully
Yes, we need to encourage kids to do their best. And yes, we need to praise them when they achieve something they were striving for. But self-esteem is delicate. And many parents only focus on the end result. To put it another way, some parents praise their children when they get an ‘A’ on their report card.
But we need to praise their overall effort. If your child is playing a sport and had an off-game, don’t give praise that rings false. Don’t tell them they had a great game if they didn’t. Instead, praise them for sticking with it and not giving up.
Maybe your child tries their best, does the work, and only gets a ‘B’ on that test. Again, praise the effort. Encourage them to keep trying. Encourage them to get extra help if they need it. Try giving them constructive advice. Sometimes, a child can put forth their best effort yet come up short. In these cases, telling them to ‘try harder’ is of little help. Instead, help them find a solution.
A Fun Self-Esteem Boost for the Entire School
Want to give a boost to your child’s entire school? My character education school assembly The Magic in You teaches kids lessons that can help them well into adulthood. My assemblies are interactive, fun, and filled with magic. Find out more by visiting The Magic in You webpage today!
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