Self-Confidence in Kids

Sometimes it is tough to be a kid. Children constantly presented with new challenges and new problems to solve. But if children have the right amount of self-confidence, they can face these challenges with a can-do attitude that will help them succeed in life. Parents can apply some simple steps to instill a sense of confidence in their children early in life.

Why Self-Confidence Is Important.

Having self-confidence means having faith in your own abilities and a sense that you are important and worthy of respect. Kids with self-confidence grow into adults who believe in themselves and their ability to achieve goals and be successful. Low self-confidence, on the other hand, can cause kids to withdraw from relationships or activities, give up easily, and refrain from trying new things. Self-confidence can help children in various aspects of life, from making new friends to joining activities to being independent to getting their first job

•Where Self-Confidence Comes From

•Self-confidence rises out of a sense of accomplishment, not from being praised. Every time a child achieves something, whether it is hitting a home run or tying his own shoes, he develops confidence and pride in himself. Later, when other important life challenges arise, kids can approach them knowing that they have been successful in other areas already, so they will not feel discouraged or be likely to give up. Kidshealth.org recommends that parents give children many opportunities to make big and small accomplishments on their own, which means letting them fail sometimes. It's also important to praise kids when they achieve a goal or make a good effort.

•Independence

•When children achieve something on their own, they feel capable and competent, which translates into confidence. Parents should give kids some measure of independence. Alina Tugend of Parents magazine writes that it's natural to want to prevent your little one from getting hurt, feeling discouraged, or making mistakes, but stepping in too often can be detrimental. Kids learn to succeed by overcoming obstacles, not when their parents remove the obstacle and do the work for them.

Independence also involves being able to make decisions. When children get the chance to make choices, they gain confidence in their own judgment. This doesn't mean that your daughter should run your household, but letting her control simple things like what to have for lunch or what color to paint her room might boost her confidence. It's also imperative to teach kids at a young age to solve problems for themselves, since they are confident when they are able to get want they want on their own.

•Positive Influence

•Kids and adults with low self-confidence often get defeated at small disappointments or give up before they try. Tugend writes that parents can help kids be more optimistic by encouraging them to think about specific ways to improve a situation or get closer to their goals. Kids with confidence have a feeling that they can achieve what they focus on, so help your child by being involved in his endeavors, being a good cheerleader, and giving positive, but constructive, feedback. Most of all, try to help your child focus on the positive side, even when he fails, so he will be more likely to pick himself up and try again.

•Other Ways to Build Confidence

•To build children's confidence, Tugend also recommends that parents expose kids to a wide variety of activities, from sports to art to academics. Kids who are good at something feel proud of their expertise and are more likely to be successful in other areas of their life because of this confidence. Even if your child's interest doesn't correspond with your own, support his passion wholeheartedly. Tugend also writes that kids get more confident when they feel like they are making a difference, whether it's helping mom make dinner or serving food at a local homeless shelter.