Building Self-esteem with your Child

Self-esteem is important to your child's development; it helps create security and confidence in your child.

Comfort:

• Value your child's uniqueness. Indulge in your child's different skills and abilities.

• Notice, encourage and respond to good behavior, small improvements and special abilities.

• Provide comfort to children when they feel hurt, upset or in danger. This will help your child feel safe and secure. Remember that a child cannot build self-esteem unless they feel secure.

• Give children fun activities that lead to feelings of pleasure and success. Start off with an activity that your child does very well in. Each time the activity is done make it little more challenging; noticing your child's development in the activity will help their self-esteem grow!

Teach:

• Show children how to cope with failure. Acknowledge your child's effort in trying a task, and reassure them that there is always another chance to get the task right.

• Have your child help you with daily chores; giving them some responsibility will show them that you trust what they can do.

• Making your child the leader in activities will show them you value their creativity and silliness