Build Self Esteem of Children

Children with high self esteem will be very independent, responsible, confident, able to express themselves emotionally and be able to take failure as a learning experience. Parents can help their children to develop their interests and hobbies and teach them how to face challenge in their lives will help to build the self esteem of their children.

1. Develop the interests and hobbies of children

Parents need to encourage their children to develop their interests and hobbies e.g. swimming, football, sports, learning musical instrument and arts and so on. When they can master the skills and achieving progress in their interests and hobbies, they will become more confident about themselves. The sense of achievement in their learning of interest and hobbies will help to raise their self esteem.

Parents affirmation for their effort to put in learning and developing hobbies will motivate to further developing their talents.

2. Delegate Responsibility

Parents can delegate household chore or responsibilities that are age-appropriate to your children. Parents need to show the children what is the requirement of the household chore first. Then, parents supervise the children in doing the household tasks. When they can complete their household tasks, parents should show recognition to their effort and help.

For instance, a mother said to her 7 years old son, "You have mopped the floor and it was so clean. I appreciate the effort you put it.

You are my helpful boy. Thanks for your contribution to our family." The boy feels being appreciated by his mother and is motivated to help out in future. The positive feedback from mother helps to build the self esteem of the boy.

3. Treat challenge or failure as valuable learning opportunities

Life is full of ups and downs. Failure is part of the learning experience in our lives. When a child faces failure or mistake, they learn to evaluate their problems and find strategies, resources and solutions to their problems. Instead of over-protecting them, parents may ask their child, what will he or she learn from the mistakes? How can he or she do better next time? Does he or she need any help? If yes, where will he or she get help from. Let the child faces their problem, mistakes or failure with our support and guidance. A child will learn from his or her mistake and see failure as important learning opportunities.

Parents should affirm the effort of their children and motivate them to work towards learning goals of their hobbies and interests. When the children have achieved their goals or finished the household chore, they will feel proud of themselves. In addition, treating failure as valuable learning experience will help the children to cope with challenges in future positively.

About The Author-- Ms Mak Wai Chong, a mother of 3 children, is a freelance trainer and counsellor. She has worked as social worker and counsellor for 17 years. Visit her website at WiseParents.net for prenatal training and parenting information and FREE newsletters.

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