This is a collaborative post
Human beings are not born with confidence – it’s something that grows over time with the right nurturing. Parents should try and find ways to help boost their child’s confidence, because this will stand them in good stead when it comes to solving problems, taking risks, and building positive relationships. I have teamed up with an independent college in London to share some advice on how to help your child become more confident.
Promote Independence
If you help your child with all of their tasks, they will never develop the confidence they need to do things independently. With that said, try and give your child some space to figure things out on their own. You could even take this one step further by giving them some of their own responsibilities around the house, like walking the dog after school or setting the table every night at dinner time. If they feel that you trust them with household tasks, they will start to feel more confident.
Encourage Hobbies
By encouraging your child to pursue certain hobbies, they will be given the opportunity to develop a range of new skills, which will give them a well-deserved self-esteem boost. For instance, as they become more proficient in a musical instrument, they will eventually gain the confidence to perform in front of others. If they play sport, every time they will a match or achieve a new personal best, they will start to have more faith in their abilities.
Concentrate on Effort, Not Accomplishments
Praising your child for their achievements is important, but if you always focus on their accomplishments as opposed to the effort that goes in, the one time they fail will really knock their confidence. So, be sure to praise your child for working hard and trying their best, rather than always focusing on grades and results.
