Confident people tend to do better in school, enjoy better relationships and get more frequent promotions. But contrary to how it appears, no one is born with high self-esteem. Confidence develops over time and springs from a sense of independence, self-worth and competency. Keep reading to learn five ways you can boost your child’s confidence, whether they spend their days at home, or they’re attending part time childcare in Pickering.
1. LET THEM MAKE MISTAKES
Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, but young children often have the impression that the adults in their lives are infallible. When you show your child it’s okay to make a mistake they’ll be much more willing to try new things. Make life’s little mishaps teachable moments so your child can begin to see mistakes as learning opportunities rather than major obstacles.
2. LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
It’s easy for children to feel overwhelmed by their emotions, especially if they’re angry, sad or disappointed. Help your child to see the bright side of every situation so they develop the resiliency needed to bounce back from negative experiences and move on with a positive attitude.
3. SHOW SELF-ACCEPTANCE
Teaching your child to embrace the things that make them unique can have a lasting impact on their self-confidence. Each individual has their own distinct set of interests and talents, and teaching self-acceptance is a great way to encourage your child’s natural curiosity, creativity and confidence.
4. ONE STEP AT A TIME
Mastery doesn’t happen overnight and helping your child to understand this can do wonders for their sense of self-worth. Celebrating all the progress they’re making can help them become aware of how each small step adds up. At Colwell Nursery School and Kindergarten, we focus on incremental development in an enriching environment so your child can see just how much they’ve grown.
5. GIVE THEM SOME FREEDOM
By giving your children the freedom to make their own choices, you’ll help them gain confidence in their abilities and judgement. Whenever it’s possible, give them safe opportunities to flex their decision-making muscles. This could be as simple as letting them decide which shirt they would like to wear or choosing the snack they’d prefer to eat.
At Colwell Nursery School and Kindergarten, it is our goal to give your child the best possible start. We offer full-time and part time childcare for families in Pickering and the surrounding areas, as well as educational after school programs that make learning fun at any age. Contact us today to learn more or to arrange a tour of our school.