Building self esteem in early childhood

Building self-esteem begins in infancy and by the time a child reaches the preschool years he has already developed a foundation for self-esteem. As parents you can take many steps to ensure that your child develops a solid foundation of self esteem. Self-esteem comes from having a sense of belonging, believing we’re capable and knowing that whatever we contribute is valued. Research has proved that children with self-esteem are more resilient. Children with self-confidence perform tasks more easily because they expect positive outcomes.  Here’s how you can help your child develop more self-confidence.

Encourage feelings of belonging.  Although children are a little young to base their feelings of self-esteem on the way children are treating them, they come to know if they are being excluded.  Teach your child skills so that he plays well and gets along with others. This will improve his self-esteem. The most important factor here is how adults relate to the child. When adults respond, understand and value a child’s needs the child feels loved and valued. Your child will also learn to respond to others the same way.

Be a good role model. Parents who have a strong sense of self-esteem foster it in their children.  If you are comfortable with yourself your preschooler will also be comfortable with himself. Children are very good at imitating so when they feel that the people around them are self-assured and self-confident they learn to imitate that. If you laugh at your mistakes and correct them your child will learn that mistakes can be corrected. Preschoolers who don’t mind making mistakes are more willing to try out new things.

Encourage a can-do attitude. When your child works hard and succeeds encourage him. Don’t just expect him to do better. Celebrate success.  Pick activities that don’t overwhelm your child. They should be doable for him. At every step encourage him and foster the feeling that he is capable. Every small victory bolsters your child’s self-confidence.

Identify your child’s strengths don’t compare him unfairly to other children. Emphasize to your child that each person has talents and each person is different. If your child shows inclination to be like another child show him what he is good at and emphasize on that point. According to child specialists a way of fostering self-esteem in a child is to encourage your child to be productive in their free time. Encourage them not just to play with other children but also to do something that creates a passion for them and gives them a meaning to their life. The best way of developing a passion is to encourage your child’s talents and abilities. If your child shows inclinations to arts give him chalk, crayons, paint and paper. If your child shows talents in large muscle activities spend time playing sports with your child. If your child loves music play CDS and give him an instrument to play. Emphasize having fun with the tools rather than excelling.  Drill it into his mind that the process is more important than the final result.