It’s imperative for a child’s emotional development to feel worthy and essential. Healthy self-esteem is a child’s protection against the challenges of the world. Kids who feel good about themselves handle conflicts easily and resist peer pressures. They smile more readily and enjoy life more. These children are more optimistic.
It’s also been proven that children who feel significant are well-rounded and respectful of boundaries. They excel in academics, hobbies extracurricular activities. It’s easier for them to develop healthy relationships with their peers.
In contrast, children who do not feel important or cherished have low self-esteem, and challenges can become sources of significant anxiety and frustration. Children who think poorly of themselves struggle to solve problems and may become passive, withdrawn, or depressed.
You are the most significant influence on your child’s development. Never forget to praise your child for a job well done and for putting in their best effort. Praise their natural attributes and help them learn from their errors and failures. Be sincere and honest when you praise your child. Help them realize that you also have bouts of self-doubt. You can make mistakes, but you know you’re essential, valued, and loved in this world.
When you nurture your self–esteem, your child will learn to do the same by example and steer clear of self-deprecation or engaging in activities that decrease your sense of self-worth.
Your child may have inaccurate beliefs about themselves, their abilities, or traits. Accentuate the positive about your child, and encourage them to set realistic expectations and standards for themselves. Help them identify characteristics or skills they’d like to improve. Help them come up with a plan for accomplishing that goal. Encourage your child to engage in activities that foster a sense of self through hard work and achievement.
Through these positive and affirming activities, your child will develop a strong sense of self, value, and worth that will carry into their adult lives.
