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How do I develop my Childs self esteem and confidence?.

A Self-esteem can be defined as how we feel about ourselves what achievements we can do and about feeling loved and valued. It is developed throughout childhood and is heavily influenced by parents and your Childs interactions with other people situations and their perceptions.

It may help to understand the difference between a good or healthy self esteem and low self esteem. Children with a healthy self-esteem tend to enjoy interacting with others, appear confident and outgoing and have a sense of achievement or optimism. Children with a low self-esteem may not want to try new things and are lacking in confidence, they may not want to interact with others and may be overly critical of themselves.
What can parents do?

  • Praise your child not only for a job well done, but also for effort. Reward effort and completion instead of outcome.
  • Recognise if your child has inaccurate beliefs about themselves, whether they're about perfection, attractiveness, ability, or anything else and put them straight.
  • Be affectionate and give praise frequently and honestly.
  • Give positive but accurate feedback on situations.
  • Create a safe and loving home environment; remember your arguments and fights will affect your child.
  • Encourage your child to be involved in activities that involve cooperation and teamwork rather than competition.

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