Five Simple Phrases to Raise Confidence and Self-Esteem in Kids — A Parents’ Guide

Children are like plants: you need to nurture and nourish them to grow happy, confident, and successful adults, especially, when there is so much negative energy all around them. But, besides parents’ love and support, there is another thing that is very important for kids to understand. Unfortunately, sometimes even adults forget about it. 

From their very childhood, kids have to learn how to love themselves. And this is not referring to  a selfish attitude in which it’s about  “me, myself, and I”. When talking about self-love, we mean a positive mindset, the ability to accept who you are, and believing in yourself. With strong self-esteem, kids grow up feeling capable and confident. It also makes people happier and healthier, and helps build more positive relationships.

For modern teenagers, it can be difficult to understand and accept this concept, because of social media where most useful things are misrepresented. So, this is where you parents, come in. And the main question is “How do you teach someone to love themselves?” The good news is that we have summarized some of the most effective methods that you can use to increase the self-esteem of a child.

Teaching Children to Love Themselves

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Imagine a world where everyone accepts their strengths and weaknesses, feels free in their desires, and is proud of who they are. And what if we say that a world like that can be real and it must begin with our little ones?

When encouraging a true, genuine, and deep self-love of a child, you make a great impact on society, making it happier and more open-minded. You create a safe place not only where they are loved, but also a place where self-love is a healthy thing. 

So, parents, here is some advice on how to teach self-love to your kid. 

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“Your opinion does matter”

Actively involving children in day-to-day activities and decision-making processes cultivates a sense of self-importance and empowerment. Even small responsibilities, like helping out at home or taking on a role in a significant project such as gardening or washing the car, provide meaningful opportunities for personal growth. 

By valuing their opinions and contributions, we instill kids with a belief in their capabilities and give them the confidence to tackle challenges. Through these opportunities, children develop autonomy, self-worth, and a deep understanding of how their actions can make a meaningful difference. 

 

“How do you feel, darling?”

In addition to the previous insights, it is crucial to acknowledge the role of self-reflection and emotional awareness in fostering self-love in children. Sometimes, children need gentle encouragement to turn their attention inward and explore their thoughts and feelings regarding their achievements and setbacks. 

Introducing children to the practice of self-reflection provides them with a valuable tool for checking their own mental health and well-being. This practice cultivates a lifelong habit of self-awareness, helping them recognize when they may need support or additional care in managing their emotions and overall mental health.

 

“It’s OK, your self-love will grow with you”

Explaining the concept of self-love to children goes beyond mere words. It is important to convey that self-love is not a quick fix or a guaranteed path to eternal happiness. Instead, it is a continuous journey that requires time, growth, and practice.

Consider setting up a jar that becomes a repository of self-appreciation and affirmation. Each day, encourage your children to write down something they love about themselves on a piece of paper, allowing them to express their unique qualities, talents, or moments of personal growth. On days when they may not feel a strong sense of self-love for a child, they can put down something more neutral, still capturing a positive aspect.

 

“Well done, baby!”

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It is common for parents and caregivers to shower children with compliments, but it is important to consider the impact of our words on the self-love of a child. Superficial compliments like "You're such a pretty girl" or "You're a strong boy" may inadvertently undermine a child's self-worth. 

When offering praise, striking a balance is key. Over-praising can diminish the significance of compliments and make them sound empty or insincere over time. It is important to provide genuine praise that acknowledges effort, progress, and attitude. Recognize the hard work put into a task, the determination shown during challenging times, and the resilience to bounce back from failure.
 

“Love yourself! But others too!”

In the journey of nurturing our children, it is vital to impart the understanding that loving oneself is as crucial as caring for others. While society often emphasizes the importance of kindness and empathy towards others, we must not forget to extend that same compassion to ourselves.

By explaining this concept to our children, we enable them to develop a profound sense of self-respect and empathy for others, hand-in-hand. As they learn to embrace self-love and happiness, they are more likely to radiate positivity within their relationships. Instead of becoming entangled in conflicts or consumed by worry and negativity, they will channel their energy into acts of kindness and care.

 

A few words in closing

Self-love plays a vital role in various aspects of life — relationships, mental health, confidence, setting boundaries and so much more. 

The journey toward self-love can offer great fulfillment, yet it can present formidable challenges as well. Kids don't have the same life experience as adults, so we can't require them to be wise and thoughtful. However, parents with their words, actions, and attitudes can become examples of self-sufficient people that love themselves in the right way.

At our network of summer camps, we understand the importance of self-love for kids like no other. The atmosphere and entertainment programs at the facility are created in such a way that your children develop not only creative skills but also personal qualities. At our recreation center, children will express themselves, learn new things, and achieve their goals with the help of tutors, who will teach them self-love.