Fostering Toddler Confidence
Children blossom when they feel good about themselves. They are eager to face new challenges and learn new skills when they feel ready and able and self-confidence is an important part of the foundations for the social framework they will build in a school setting that includes making friends, sharing and competition. Perhaps best of all, it’s never too early to start building your child’s sense of self-worth through simple everyday interactions. Here’s a few examples to get you started thinking about how easy it is to foster this important character trait.
- Your baby cries and you pick him up in your arms. Of course it’s a nice moment for either Mom or Dad but there’s more at play here. Baby is learning that his emotions are important and that he’s worthy of attention and soothing.
- Your toddler tries to put her shoes on by herself but gets frustrated and she holds them up for Mom to come to the rescue. When you tell
her you know how hard the task can be and she’s done well anyway, your little girl learns that trying is an important first step in accomplishing anything. - A three year old cries when his parents get ready to leave him with the babysitter to go out for a night on the town. When they take a few moments to calm him down, they’re teaching him that his feelings matter and his parents will be there when he’s distressed.
Helping your child to feel safe and confident in their world through routines allows them the confidence to play and grow. When she knows what happens next, she can prepare for the next event and proportion out some time for new activities and interactions that make her poised and eager to push forward and learn more. In other words, that bedtime routine including bath, books and songs is an excellent backdrop for confidence building.
As far as the right atmosphere is concerned, it’s no surprise Mom and Dad play a central role. The views a child has of herself are at least partially the views of those around her and positive reinforcement is all the more important from parents in this era of smaller extended families. That said, here’s a few hints on showing your toddler you believe in her.
One of the first lessons your child needs to learn is a good effort is just as important as a positive result. If she’s tried to put on an outfit by herself and missed getting the tights right, it helps to praise successful efforts with the skirt and vest. Focusing on balancing out praise and criticism is important to give him the tools he needs to feel good about his abilities too. Try to keep in mind modern research points out many households are so busy today parents only notice and draw attention to the negative things their children do. Finally, there’s a general consensus that expecting good behavior fosters a positive self-image and thanking your toddler for putting their toys away after being asked elevates their self-confidence.
Read more info like this at All My Children.
Author: Rob Starr