As parents, we can significantly influence how our child sees, thinks, and feels about himself/herself. Yes, we affect their self-esteem by the way we talk to them and act around them.  

Self-Esteem is defined as the self-confidence and satisfaction of oneself. The level of self-esteem that a child has can affect their relationships, learning, and an overall view of life.

Observe your child right now. Does your child have low or high self-esteem? Here are some of the behaviors that a child with high self-esteem have.

• A positive view of themselves
• A can-do attitude
• Excitement to try out new things
• Resilience to try again after failing 
• Confidence to speak his/her mind
• Feelings of belongingness
• Motivation to contribute and take part in activities

On the other hand, a child with low self-esteem may exhibit the following behaviors.

• Shyness or withdrawal from people
• Feeling of inadequacy
• The belief that he/she will fail
• Lack of motivation to try
• Regards him/herself as a failure

Every parent wants their kid to enjoy their childhood and fulfill their potential. A child with high self-esteem feels a sense of belongingness and competence that will eventually help him be a productive and happy adult. Here are some ways that parents can do to nurture and boost their child's self-esteem.

11 Ways You Can Boost Your Child's Self-Esteem

1. Have your self-esteem in check.

Children learn best through modeling, and they refer to their parents as their primary model. You cannot expect your child to have healthy self-esteem if he/she sees you do not have either. It is essential to look at yourself, too, and see if you are a good example to your child.

2. Spend quality time with your child.

Your child feels loved and worthy when you allot quality and undistracted time. Have a conversation with your child over at the dinner table, play with them, or read a book to them. You may also develop a family ritual or tradition to help your child feel that they belong. You can ask for their suggestions too. 

3. Give your Child Age-Appropriate Chores.

Delegating household chores that are suited to their age and capabilities can teach your child about taking responsibilities. As your child does the tasks, he/she will see and demonstrate their abilities. Your child will feel a sense of accomplishment, knowing that he/she can complete the tasks and that he/she is contributing to the home.

Remember to start with simple house chores first to give your child time to adjust. You may increase the complexity depending on their age and capabilities. The house chores need to be age-appropriate because if you give them duties that are difficult for their age, it might trigger an adverse reaction.  

Note: Watch out for our next blogpost on age-appropriate chores you can give your kids. 

4. Let your child make decisions.

Let your child voice his/her opinion. Reserve any judgments and unnecessary comments. Allowing your child to make age-appropriate decisions can make him/her feel empowered. You can start letting your toddler make simple decisions. You can ask your child to choose what fruits he/she wants to eat or ask him/her to select the clothes he/she wants to wear.

As they grow, you may allow them to make critical decisions. By doing so, you will also teach the child to own up to his/her choices. The child will soon realize and understand that there are consequences for each of their decisions.

5. Train your child to learn how to take care of himself. 

Another way to teach children responsibility is to teach them to care for themselves. Setup routines that they can follow throughout the day. Teach them to bathe themselves, dress up, comb their hair, and other self-care tasks. You should train them to eat by themselves, prepare simple snacks, and clean up the mess.

When the kids get the opportunity to do things for themselves, they realize their capabilities and strengths. They will see that through practice, they can achieve anything. 

6. Offer appropriate praise.

Giving praise can help boost a child's self-esteem. Make sure to use it appropriately and timely. Praise should focus on the effort and process and not the output. When you praise the child's efforts, he/she will tend to be resilient and persistent. Ensure not to overpraise your child; otherwise, your praise loses its value and sincerity.    

7. Encourage your child to try and discover new things. 

Children are naturally curious. Give them space and freedom to try new things if it is safe. Also, you can encourage your child to try different things by offering him/her choices. 

8. Make a list of positive things about your child.

If your child feels low of himself, you can ask him/her to write or draw positive traits or things he can do well. Through visualization, you can help your child realize that he possesses good qualities, and he can do accomplish on his own.

9. Don't compare your child with another child.

When providing feedback, whether it is positive or negative, avoid comparing your child to a sibling, relative, or classmate. The comparison may lead your child to feel anxious and may develop resentment towards you and other people.

10. Talk to your child in a positive tone.

When your child feels low because he/she was not able to complete the tasks at hand or he/she is not satisfied with his/her output, use a gentle voice. Avoid giving sarcastic remarks that may demean or belittle them. Offer your ears to listen to his/her emotion. Give words of encouragement and support. Appreciate their efforts and encourage them to try again.  

11. Encourage your kids not to take themselves too seriously.

Laughing at their mistakes is something you can teach your kids to combat negative thoughts. When they learn how to move past the embarrassment, they can focus on trying again.

Remember that your words and actions can directly influence your child's mental and emotional growth. We hope that you follow the tips so that you can nurture your child's self-esteem.  

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