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Teaching Your Child Self-Esteem
In this lesson you will learn some tips to help build your child's self-esteem.
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Welcome to the Municipality of Anchorage WIC Website. If you (or your child) are a WIC participant, please enter your first and last name here:
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Why is self-esteem so important?
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Self-esteem is how we feel about ourselves. Parents are the most important contributors to their child's self-esteem for the first 4-5 years. Children with higher self-esteem tend to be less involved with underage drinking, drug abuse, school failure, eating disorders or committing suicide.
How can you help build your child's self-esteem?
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Be a postive role model. Your child listens, sees, and follows what you do and say.
One of the most important ways to build your child's self-esteem is to be a positive role model.
A parent with high self-esteem is optimistic, not harsh on themselves, has realistic expectations, and avoids arguing.
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- Listen to and spend time with your child. Take the time to listen to your child. This shows that their thoughts, opinions, desires and feelings matter to you. A great way to do this is by setting aside a "special time" each day with each child to talk.
- Give positive praise and save "no" for emergencies. Every child does something right each day. Praise your child for these things. Make sure it is realistic, honest and not too over the top. Negative feedback, such as consistently saying "no," can cause the child to think he isn't able to do anything right.
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Show affection and unconditional love. Let them know they are accepted and loved no matter what they do. Tell them you love them and give them plenty of hugs.
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Don't compare your child to others. Resist comparing your child to siblings and peers. Try to highlight the strengths of each child. For example, instead of saying, "Why can't you paint like your sister?" say "Your sister is great at painting and you are great at drawing."
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Provide activities that encourage cooperation. Involve your child in activities that encourage cooperation rather than competition.
- Provide opportunities for children to help. Helping others boosts your child's self-esteem by showing them they have something to offer the world. Examples include allowing your child to help you cook, clean and take care of a pet.
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Support your child's interests and encourage new ones. Encourage your child to participate in new activities and hobbies, such as riding a bike, trying new a new food and playing a new sport.
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Help your child develop problem-solving skills. Children with problem-solving skills tend to have higher self-esteems. There are many ways parents can help their child develop these skills. For example, if your child isn't getting along with a friend, brainstorm possible solutions with them of how to solve the problem.
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Allow your child to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. Teach your child not to be too hard on themselves when they make one. A great way to do this is through teaching them to laugh about their mistake, learn from it and move on.
Now Let's Review!
For more information on your child's self-esteem, try the following sites:
Child Development Information
KidsHealth.org
Parenting on About.com
Peel Public Health
ParentCenter.com
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Revised: 06-13-2008
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Answers:
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Review
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1. True
2. True
3. False
4. False
5. False
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