English
Hmong
Español
Did you know that how a child feels about himself will directly impact the way he treats himself and others?
According to Beverly Anderson, Executive Director of Ebenezer Child Care Centers with locations in Milwaukee, Mequon, Greenfield, Oak Creek, and Wauwatosa, “The way a child perceives himself has a
dramatic impact on his self-esteem and self-image. If a child has a positive self-image, he is much less likely to have behavior problems.”
“And, as parents, we need to realize that we are the main source of a child’s sense of self-worth.”
So what should you do to raise your child’s self-confidence? Here are some useful tips:
Be Positive and Encourage Your Child
Anderson says when you are with your child and he is trying something new, you should always be positive and encouraging.
“It is sometimes hard for us to remember, especially when we are busy, how challenging a new task such as tying a shoe or zipping a jacket can be.”
“However, rather than getting upset when your child is struggling, you need to remain calm and reassure him that practicing the task at hand is worth with effort. Stay upbeat and use praise so he won’t get frustrated, shut down, and give up.”
Anderson says that ongoing positive reinforcement is one of the best ways to raise self-confidence.
“The last thing you want is for your child to fear trying something new,” says Anderson. “By being positive and encouraging with your child, you are telling him that it is fun and rewarding to try new things.”
Don’t Compare Your Children
The last thing a child wants is to be compared to a sibling or friend.
According to Anderson, “Comparing one child to another can often cause him to shut down completely out
of frustration, because he thinks he will never be acceptable as he is.”
“As hard as it may be to not compare children, parents should really make an effort to celebrate each child for his own unique qualities, abilities, and effort.”
Be A Good Role Model
Remember, children are listening all the time. Try to speak positively about yourself and everyone you encounter when children are present. Leave complaints for when children are not around.
Be cautious of how you react to situations. If you constantly over react to minor circumstances, this can cause a child to feel inadequate and for him to develop the feeling that he will never be good enough to please you.
Live a little, and realize that if your child sees you taking risks and trying new things, he will be more likely to try new things as well. Then when he expresses that he would like to try something new, trust him and allow him the opportunity to come into his own. If he stumbles or doesn’t succeed quite in the way he planned, then use this as an opportunity to positively discuss what went wrong, so you can both learn from the experience.
Ebenezer Child Care Centers will be hosting a FREE Family Fun Night on “Raising Your Child’s Self-Confidence” on Thursday, September 15th, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at their Wauwatosa location which is in the UnitedHealth Group office building located at 10701 West Research Drive, Wauwatosa. Raising children’s self-confidence will give them the tools to face life with optimism and trust. It will also empower them to take risks and learn from their mistakes, to accept themselves as they are, and to cope with this uncertain and ever-changing world. So what can you do to raise your child’s self-confidence? Come to this Family Fun Night to find out! Activities will include making a self-portrait with a variety of art media, putting on dress-up clothes and presenting a show, and creating your own puppets. In addition to the activities, you will have the opportunity to enjoy dinner on us! Registration is required. Please call 414-643-5070 to register.