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Foto del escritorGloria Andrea Délano

7 Ways to Instill Self-Esteem in Your Kids


This month, we kick off April with a focus on Children’s Day festivities at Helen Doron CDMX. More than just one day, we are celebrating a whole month of what truly makes our kids amazing, and trying to learn more about how to nurture that. We want our kids to feel loved, valued, and confident in themselves every day.


This week, we focus on how parents and guardians can help their children achieve a healthy self-esteem from a young age. According to Kids Health (2018), Darcy Lyness PHD, explains that healthy self esteem looks like:

  • feeling liked and accepted

  • feeling confident

  • feeling proud of what they can do

  • thinking good things about themselves

  • believing in themselves


On the flip side, low-self esteem looks like:

  • self-critical and hard on themselves

  • feeling they're not as good as other kids

  • thinking of the times they fail rather than when they succeed

  • lacking confidence

  • doubting they can do things well

But how do we get our children to achieve a healthy self-esteem? Here are some ways parents can help their children achieve just that...


1. Help your child learn to do things. At every age, there are new things for kids to learn. Even during babyhood, learning to hold a cup or take first steps sparks a sense of mastery and delight. As your child grows, things like learning to dress, read, or ride a bike are chances for self-esteem to grow.


2. When teaching kids how to do things, show and help them at first. Then let them do what they can, even if they make mistakes. Be sure your child gets a chance to learn, try, and feel proud. Don't make new challenges too easy — or too hard.


3. Praise your child, but do it wisely. Of course, it's good to praise kids. Your praise is a way to show that you're proud. But some ways of praising kids can actually backfire.

Here's how to do it right:

  • Don't overpraise. Praise that doesn't feel earned doesn't ring true. For example, telling a child he played a great game when he knows he didn't feels hollow and fake. It's better to say, "I know that wasn't your best game, but we all have off days. I'm proud of you for not giving up." Add a vote of confidence: "Tomorrow, you'll be back on your game."

  • Praise effort. Avoid focusing praise only on results (such as getting an A) or fixed qualities (such as being smart or athletic). Instead, offer most of your praise for effort, progress, and attitude. For example: "You're working hard on that project," "You're getting better and better at these spelling tests," or, "I'm proud of you for practicing piano — you've really stuck with it." With this kind of praise, kids put effort into things, work toward goals, and try. When kids do that, they're more likely to succeed.

4. Be a good role model. When you put effort into everyday tasks (like raking the leaves, making a meal, cleaning up the dishes, or washing the car), you're setting a good example. Your child learns to put effort into doing homework, cleaning up toys, or making the bed.

Modeling the right attitude counts too. When you do tasks cheerfully (or at least without grumbling or complaining), you teach your child to do the same. When you avoid rushing through chores and take pride in a job well done, you teach your child to do that too.


5. Ban harsh criticism. The messages kids hear about themselves from others easily translate into how they feel about themselves. Harsh words ("You're so lazy!") are harmful, not motivating. When kids hear negative messages about themselves, it harms their self-esteem. Correct kids with patience. Focus on what you want them to do next time. When needed, show them how.


6. Focus on strengths. Pay attention to what your child does well and enjoys. Make sure your child has chances to develop these strengths. Focus more on strengths than weaknesses if you want to help kids feel good about themselves. This improves behavior too.


7. Let kids help and give. Self-esteem grows when kids get to see that what they do matters to others. Kids can help out at home, do a service project at school, or do a favor for a sibling. Helping and kind acts build self-esteem and other good feelings.


 

¡Fechas Importantes!




 
Thank You For Being Part of Our Special Day!

Así se vivió nuestra celebración de 8 años contigo :) ¡Gracias por tanto! This is how our 8th year anniversary celebration went :) Thank you for so much!



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