Building Self-Esteem in Kids

Building your child’s self-esteem or sense of self-worth is an important aspect of raising resilient kids. While healthy self-confidence is a part of positive self-esteem, these two terms are not interchangeable. Self-confidence applies in specific contexts, subject areas, or social situations where your child has developed a particular strength or learned to face new challenges and found success. Self-esteem, on the other hand, is a global awareness of the worth and value one has simply by being themselves. It manifests in a child’s confidence that he has something of value to offer the world.

Helping Kids Develop a Growth Mindset

There are many good things you can do to help children develop high self-esteem. One positive way to enhance your children’s self-esteem is to model a positive attitude towards learning new things. Instead of instilling the belief that skills or success are something you are either born with or you aren’t, a growth mindset focuses on hard work and the benefit of learning from mistakes when tackling a difficult task.

The Critical Role of a Child’s Peer Group

​Family relationships and peer groups play an important role in developing a child’s sense of belonging and a positive outlook. It’s important to give our children opportunities for independence and to make sure that they have supportive communities around them – both inside and outside of the home – that play a significant role in your child’s development. Positive relationships provide a safe space for our children to try new things, make mistakes, get up and try again.

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Mental Health and Self-Talk

While supportive family and peer groups are essential to healthy self-esteem, we might overlook the role their own negative thoughts or self-criticism play in their emotional health and self-worth. Negative self-talk can have a significant impact on a child’s self esteem, so it’s important to keep the gates of communication open so that you can understand the messages your child tells himself about his struggles and failures and find effective ways to counter those negative feelings with a positive view of self and growth.

The Raising Lifelong Learners Podcast Episode #196 – Building Self-Esteem in Kids

What is the importance of self-esteem and how does it impact your child’s learning and personal growth? On today’s podcast episode we’ll talk about seven important steps you can take to build your kids’ self-esteem and what role family members and peer groups can play in this important area of your child’s development and emotional resilience.

Links And Resources From Today’s Show:

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