12 Tips to Raising Confident Children
Even as early as their first days of life, kids are learning new skills at a rapid rate. While learning these skills, once mastered, builds a level of confidence.
As kids get older, confidence is a key factor in developing those important life skills. However, kids also need to feel confident if they do not succeed the first time at something it does not mean they failed. Confidence comes with success and failure.
Here are 12 tips on how to help your child build confidence:
1. Model confidence yourself.
Even if you are not feeling confident about something, for your children's sake you need to act like it. You can point out your fears and anxiety about the task but steer away from focusing on that. Model for you children that you are being optimistic and positive.
2. Encourage your child to learn new things.
Most children, when they find something they are really good at only want to stay within that niche. However, we should be encouraging our children to diversify and try things that they may not be the best at. This allows them to be confident in anything that is thrown their way and know they have the ability to at least try.
3. Don’t get upset about mistakes.
If your child makes a mistake, encourage them to embrace the mistake. Use this as a time to teach them that everyone makes mistakes but we learn from them. Confident children realize they made a mistake but do not allow the mistake to bring them down or count as a failure.
4. Allow kids to fail.
It is in our nature to want to protect our children from failure, but is that helping them build confidence? Falling short on a goal, helps kids realize it is not fatal and that trial and error is a part of life.
5. Praise perseverance.
For a lot of us, giving up when something is difficult is easier than continuing to try. Confidence is not about succeeding or being the best at everything, it is about pushing through during the times you may not be the best at something or not being anxious about not being the best.
6. Help kids find their passions.
Allowing kids to explore their own interests can help with finding their own identity and self confidence.
7. Set goals.
Having children set goals for themselves, short and long term will allow them to feel accomplished when they complete a task in the time frame. Having a list of the child’s interests and what they want to accomplish within those interests while having manageable and attainable goals will help with self esteem and confidence.
8. Celebrate Efforts.
Praising your child for their efforts is a great way to build self confidence. Let your kids know you value their work and their effort. It could be as simple as a child learning a new letter or a teenager learning to play the piano.
9. Expect them to pitch in.
In the beginning they may complain that they do not want to help around the house or do chores. However, they feel valued when they can contribute to their family. Pick age appropriate chores so they are able to feel accomplished.
10. Embrace imperfection.
Unfortunately, the society we live in, with social media and technology shows that everyone is happy, successful and perfectly dressed. This is not how the real world works and us as educators/parents reminding our kids that being less than perfect is the way of life and it is okay.
11. Set them up for success.
Challenging our kids is very important but setting them up for success is also a key component to confidence. Help your child get involved in activities that make them feel comfortable and confident for new challenges along the way.
12. Show your love.
Make sure your child knows you love them no matter what! Even when you are mad or upset your love is unconditional.
https://childmind.org/article/12-tips-raising-confident-kids/
How to Support Your Student from Home
We are now in a new phase of life where “work from home” is the new “normal.” This can cause a great deal of anxiety and difficulty focusing. We are a routine driven society and now that our routines have been “thrown out the window” a lack of focus is expected. However, there are ways to help with regaining focus and attention, whether students have learning differences like ADHD or not.
As a parent or educator, it is essential to develop habits and routines to allow students to perform their best. Please see below for tips on how to help your student stay focused and support them during difficult times.
Think about your feelings working from home and the challenges and uncertainty it has brought up for you. Allow yourself to express that with your student which will encourage them to tell you how they feel. Empathizing with them and helping them feel understood will allow them to come up with a solution with your guidance.
Here are a few things we we recommend:
Set a routine and schedule for every day. Have this posted where the student is working as well as other places in the home to ensure they stay on schedule.
Sometimes time can “get away” from us. Help them use a visual timer to be mindful of their time.
Have all their materials ready and in reach.
Allow short breaks frequently.
Give clear instructions on your expectations.
Break projects into smaller, more manageable chunks.
Always stay calm and encouraging, we are all trying to navigate this tough time and it is overwhelming for everyone. When giving feedback ensure it is always positive which will help with motivation. Use phrases such as:
“I see how hard you are trying. You can do this.”
“Let’s set the timer. I am looking forward to seeing how it turns out when you are finished.”
This time gives us the opportunity to practice and strengthen their executive functioning skills. With our guidance and leadership, they are becoming more independent by completing things on their own. Since children are not born with these skills, the adults in their lives create the opportunities and environment to practice these skills. We hope this advice helps you support your students. For more information on finding a one-on-one academic coach, please visit our website.