About self-esteem
Self-esteem is liking yourself, feeling valuable, believing in yourself, and knowing that you're doing well.
Self-esteem gives children confidence:
- Try something new and try again when things aren't going according to plan
- Do things they may not like or are usually not good at
- Face challenges instead of avoiding them.
When children try new things, face challenges and bounce back, they learn and grow. That's why self-esteem can be an important part of a child's development.
Note: Warm and loving relationships are the foundation of a child's self-esteem because they make the child feel valued and valued. Relationships are built on a lot of responsive, caring interactions with your child. Family rituals are also important because they can build your family relationships and give your child a sense of belonging.
Baby and self-esteem
Newborns and very young babies don't have real self-esteem. That's because they haven't seen themselves as their own people yet. But you can still lay the foundation for healthy self-esteem by:
- Pamper your baby gently
- Respond when your baby cries
- Give plenty of hugs and smiles.
These warm and responsive interactions tell your baby that they are loved and loved.
Toddlers and self-esteem
Toddlers begin to understand themselves, what they can do, and what makes them who they are. Here are some ways you can build your toddler's self-esteem:
- Let your child choose between safe, toddler-friendly options, such as what toys to play with or whether to put jam or vegetables on toast. This gives young children an exciting sense of control and helps to develop self-confidence and self-awareness.
- Give your child a chance to say no. Toddlers need to hold on to themselves and understand that decisions have consequences. For example, if your child refuses when you ask them to put on a jacket, that's okay. Colds don't hurt them.
- Let your child explore their environment, but be prepared to respond if they need you. For example, your child may be fascinated by an ant, but will feel scared when the ant crawls with its feet. Your child needs you to let them know it's okay.
- Coach your child in tricky social situations. Toddlers may find it difficult to share and take turns because they are learning who they are and what they are. So you can say, 'Now it's my turn to get the red nuggets.' Great sharing - well done!
Preschoolers and self-esteem
At this age, preschoolers often like to compare themselves to others and ask themselves if they are the biggest, fastest, or best at what they do. You can play an important role in nurturing your child's self-esteem and helping your child value themselves.
Here are some ideas:
- Give your child balanced feedback. It's about praising your child for trying, trying, or trying something new – not to be the "best." It also encourages them to appreciate the success of others. For example, 'The game is well done, do your best – I'm proud of you.' Let's congratulate Sven on winning'.
- Illustrate that failure is part of life. Try asking questions like "Have you tried?" or "Are you having fun?" Before you ask "Did you win?" "Before this shows your child that whether they win or lose, you value them – and encourage your child to do the same.
- Play a simple board game or card game together. A rotational game like this can help your child learn how to play cooperatively and get along with others. This allows your child to gain skills and confidence in social situations.
- Encourage your child to help you with chores – such as setting up a table or packing clothes. This shows that your child believes they have a sense of responsibility, which helps your child feel good about himself.
- Show interest in things that your child is interested in. For example, you can go to the library and borrow books from your child's favorite subjects. Or take the time together to build blocks, do puzzles, play football – or whatever your child likes.
Note: Family meals are a simple but important way to enhance the sense of worth and belonging of children of all ages. That's because children can all contribute to family meals – for example, setting the table, washing vegetables, throwing salads, and so on. Family dinners can also give everyone the opportunity to talk about things that are important to them.
Primary school-age children with self-esteem
At school, children may compare themselves to their friends and classmates. At this age, self-esteem is often associated with many things — including a child's ability to learn, their appearance, how well they perform in sports, and how easy it is for them to make friends.
School challenges can seem to weaken your child's self-esteem, as your child may feel inferior to others for the first time. But it will help them understand that they don't need to be perfect in all that is loved, valued, and empowered.
Here are some ways you can help:
- Give extra love and hugs at the end of school.
- Focus on the effort your child puts in and the courage it takes to try something new or difficult. For example, "I know you're worried about dancing at a concert, but you bravely gave it up.".
- When things don't go as planned for the first time, encourage your child to try again. You can say, 'Go ahead, try again – I'm sure you can do it'. This can also develop a child's resilience.
- Coach your child in tricky social situations – for example, "When you want to join, try to smile brightly." If you seem happy, people will want to play with you." You can try to role-play these situations with your child first.
- Build a good relationship between school and family by talking to your teacher to find out how your child is progressing. It's also a good thing to be involved in school life if you can, and show interest in your child's homework and homework.
Note: Caring about them staying in touch with other people is important for your child's self-esteem. This helps to strengthen their understanding of who they are. If this works for your family, you can encourage your children to visit their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Or you can participate in sports clubs or community service.