How To Help Your Child With Their Confidence | AD

Disclosure - This is a paid collaboration with Parsons Green Prep

Having a confident child is probably close to the top of most parent’s lists when they’re asked what attributes they’d like their child to have. Confidence comes naturally for some children, they don’t question their place in the world and forge ahead quite happily without ever becoming anxious or worrying how others might see them. For others it’s not so simple and if your child lacks confidence, you’ll know only too well how worrying it can be. You can help your child by introducing new hobbies but one of the key factors in helping children to grow to their full potential is through security and routine. 

A child who is secure in life and knows what’s going to be happening day-to-day will always be more confident than others. A prep school in London believes that a secure environment results in a happy, confident child and there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that children who lead chaotic lifestyles suffer in terms of their confidence.

What can you do to help?

Confidence is the key to success. Hard work and ability play big roles in what we achieve in life but the brightest child may fail if they lack confidence.

How can we encourage our children to feel more confident though? It’s no use telling them ‘have some confidence in yourself!’ because for most children, the idea is too vague…they’re not sure what it even means.

The best way to help your child grow in confidence is by ensuring that their lives are regulated and that they have strong routines. Children like to know what’s going to be happening next, they feel secure when they can predict their lives to some extent.

That’s not to say that they won’t enjoy surprises or unplanned days out…of course they will; but generally, it’s a good idea to stick to routine for the majority of the time.

Challenge your child

Alongside these strong routines, it’s a good idea to regularly challenge your child. Suggesting they learn a new skill, make new friends, try out a different club or after-school activity.

When children are put in new situations, they learn incredibly quickly and learning promotes self-esteem and self-belief.

Congratulate your child when they try something for the first time and use your language carefully.

Some positive phrases are as follows.

You should be proud of yourself – this allows children to understand that they’re doing things for themselves…not for you or anyone else.

That was brave – let them know that they’ve been courageous.

You took a risk and you’ve learned something new- this is particularly helpful if a child has taken a fall in some way or perceives themself to have failed.

You can do it – simple but if you say it enough, even the shyest child will begin to believe it.

Never let your child feel that they’ve disappointed you. Trying is enough…there are lessons to be learned in failure and not managing something the first time is just a way to gather more information to help with success the next time.

Michelle