4 Easy ways to build your child's self esteem - right now!!

As I park my car and begin to make my way to the staircase in my apartment block – I hear a baby voice giving instructions...........

“Yes…..come on……flap your wings…….yes……..yes…..you’re getting it….just try……….Ohhhhhhh!…….its ok…….try again……..come on……………”

Intrigued – I make my way towards the baby voice.

As I reach the spot where the sounds are coming from – I find my neighbor's five year old daughter crouched in a corner. The voice giving encouraging instructions – is hers.

“What are doing darling?” I ask

“Aunty – this baby pigeon has fallen out of its nest” she says. “I am teaching it how to fly”

I pat the little teacher on her back to encourage her in her endeavor and then make my way up the stairs.

Ah! The beauty of being a child. I think.
The magic of believing that you can do whatever you put your mind to.
The power of being enveloped in positive self-esteem and believing that you are invincible.

Children are born fearless – they believe they are all powerful – they are convinced that they are capable of just anything.

Then why as they grow – do they lose faith in themselves? Why do they begin to think they are not good at this – or can’t do that?
Is it because we do nothing to keep their positive self-esteem alive?

Well here are 4 things that you can do to build your child’s self esteem

• Always praise effort, intention and persistence - do not wait for your child to attain perfection.

Never tell children – “Oh you can’t do that.” Or “That is impossible – no one can do that.” You never know where effort and persistence can take you.
Always say – “I like it that you tried so hard”

•  Lead from the front. Attempt things that you think you don’t have a knack for – put your own positive self-esteem out there for them to see and copy.

Would you attempt a song in public – if you aren’t a good singer? Would you run a race even if you knew you were going to come last? If you answer these questions with a ‘no’ – then you need to build your own self esteem. Building your own self esteem will help you discover how self-esteem is really built – and then you will be able to help your child build his or hers

• Teach children to admire others for what they do well and teach them not to compare. Admiring a positive trait makes you feel good about yourself – comparing makes you feel inferior.

Always team up with your child when you admire something or someone. Say “Wow! Look at that lovely picture of the sunrise that your friend has painted. I like it. Do you?” Say it with genuine enthusiasm and joy without sounding jealous and bitter. 
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• Remind yourself and your child that you love him/her for who they are and not what they do.

When you are consoling a disappointed child – let your hugs and kisses do the talking. Your voice may convey your own hurt and disappointment.

Helping your child to build positive self-esteem is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child.

When you build healthy self-esteem into a child – you have a cheerful optimistic socially well-adjusted child – who is aware of his weaknesses but not intimidated by them.
No challenge is too great for a child with healthy self-esteem.
So if there is one thing you vow to do today for your child – vow to build his/her self-esteem – begin RIGHT NOW!!

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