What is self-esteem anyway? It is something that everyone has, to a certain extent. However, for a person to have self-esteem, something must be holding them back from pursuing the things they want in life and becoming successful at it. So what is self-esteem exactly, and how can you develop it in your child?
Your children have to have something to rely on to keep them going, to help them believe that they are good and capable, and to give them a sense of worth. Without this belief, they will quickly lose their belief altogether, and will never get anywhere in life. A lot of this comes from their parents. So, if your parents don’t set up any sort of realistic self-image for your child, then they won’t have any reason to continue to believe in themselves.
The first thing that you need to do to help your child develop a positive self-image is to convince him or her that he or she is smart. It is important to demonstrate to them just how smart they are, and that they should strive to go beyond what other people think of them. This means doing things like asking your child to do things that others would deem extraordinary, like getting good grades in school. Doing these things are not only good for your child, but also show you that they are capable of doing extraordinary things. The more they see themselves as someone who is intelligent, the better they will feel about themselves.
Another thing that you can do is to take some time out of your day and do something for your child that is just for him or her. This can be anything from going to the park to shopping with your child, to cooking something special for them. Even helping your child learn new skills, such as riding a bike, can be beneficial, and will build their self-esteem even further. A parent’s day is often the time that is most used for helping a child improve their self-image. However, it does not have to be every day. In fact, you may want to do this several times a week.
The other thing that you can do for your children is to talk to them about their successes and failures. Self-esteem develops as a result of a child’s understanding of his or her true worth. Children begin to understand that they can’t always get what they want, and that they have to work for it. By talking to your child frankly about what has happened with him or her, you can help your child develop his or her own sense of self-worth.
The last tip that will help you build your child’s self-esteem is to encourage him or her in many small and large ways. Praise and appreciate your child when he or she does something good. If your child has successfully completed a task, be sure to give him or her kudos and support. This will instill in your child a sense that he or she is valuable and important.
It is also important to teach kids about the difference between small accomplishments that are critical to their development and outright successes. Kids need to know that there is a right way to be proud of themselves and a wrong way. It is perfectly fine to celebrate a small accomplishment once in a while, but overdoing it is just as bad as under-celebrating. When you make your child aware of this difference, he or she is more likely to do things that are positive and worthy. This is one of the most important elements of building and improving self-esteem in your child.
All of these tips are great ways for building your child’s self-esteem. You must remember that these things need to be done in a consistent and thoughtful way. If your child is not completely focused on improving their self-esteem, then no amount of praise or help is going to work. Therefore, take your time, be consistent, and give sincere effort.