5 ways to build your kids self confidence

Parents, caregivers, grandparents, Dads, Moms, if your child believes in himself or herself you have a winner. As adults we know that believing in yourself is the key to a positive self concept or awesome self confidence. It is the same for the kids self confidence.

I have been watching the Olympics and it is amazing how people perform differently. Some athletes go into their race with no nerves showing and seem to be sure they will do well. Others seem to say they will do their best. Still others seem to say I will do what  my coach said with all my might. But behind everyone is that sense of self confidence.

Look at these youngsters. They are all outstanding athletes and I think of Oleksiak from Canada a 16 year old, Elaine Thompson 24 years old from Jamaica, Simone Biles, 19 years old from USA, Gabrielle Douglas, 20 years old from the USA. You must agree they went into their races with the intent to do well. In fact their best.

That’s why we talk about 5 ways to build the self confidence of your preschooler in this blog and in the book 5 Ways for Parents to help their children feel Awesome about themselves. It’s a long way from pre school to 24 years of age. But I am sure that if the process did not start in preschool between the ages of 4 and 7 years old, they would not be where they are now

Kids self confidence & Self-confidence of Parents & Caregivers

I started by saying that adults understand that self confidence is the key to success.

One   As a parent or a caregiver we have the responsibility to keep watch on ourselves to make sure we will not give into negative thoughts and criticisms. These usually come from those who are unable to perform as well as your child or care is.It’s simply a case of good old envy. At the same time, some persons are just plain mean and nasty. They are unable to congratulate and acknowledge what the other is doing.

Two   Building self confidence in your child at an early age in what ever they are doing will let them realize at an early age that these mean people exist.

Three   Your kids self-confidence is a mixture of  believing in themselves and seeing others believe in them. For the 5 year old or the 6 year old this plays out as I can rather than I can’t. I can’t get knocked out of their vocabulary.

Four     I can carries with a feeling of humbleness that is hard to explain. For some cultures it comes naturally. For some it has to be learnt. Kids self confidence tells others that they are still children who love to do well and love to do things that their caregivers applaud. Becoming outstanding and awesome is a short step away.

Five     Keep in mind, the preschooler loves to try out new things. That image of the Perfect Mom driving the children to swimming, dancing, music lessons etc. etc. is a real one. Why do we do it? It’s not just keeping up with the Jones’s. No. It’s also giving your 5 year old a chance to experiment with life and finding out what feels comfortable. Maybe her brother rock climbs. She is sure to want to try it. Or someone swims every weekend . He will want to go. How about pottery?  Pretty soon she is going to want to make something. It’s natural.

Build your kids self confidence. Don’t stifle it.