Importance Of Self Esteem To Your Child

Importance Of Self Esteem To Your Child

Self-esteem is more than just a buzzword used in parenting books to get your attention. It truthfully is something you need to help your child build and protect. The ramification of a low self-esteem in a teenager in this day and age is not something you as a parent want to face.

Self-esteem is how your child feels about himself and his abilities. It is developed as your child interacts with you and others. A child with a healthy self-esteem has a ‘can-do’ attitude. He feels like a capable person who isn’t afraid of trying new things. He has a fun outlook on life and shows this through his everyday actions.

Parents can play important roles in helping their children feel better about themselves and developing greater confidence. Doing this is important because children with good self-esteem:

* Act independently
* Assume responsibility
* Take pride in their accomplishments
* Tolerate frustration
* Handle peer pressure appropriately
* Attempt new tasks and challenges
* Handle positive and negative emotions
* Offer assistance to others

Words and actions have great impact on the confidence of children, and children, including adolescents, remember the positive statements parents and caregivers say to them. Phrases such as "I like the way you…" or "You are improving at…" or "I appreciate the way you…" should be used on a daily basis. Parents also can smile, nod, wink, pat on the back, or hug a child to show attention and appreciation.

Self-esteem is an important component to almost everything children do. Not only will it help with academic performance, it supports social skills and makes it easier for children to have and keep friends. Relationships with peers and teachers are usually more positive with a healthy dose of self-esteem.

Children are also better equipped to cope with mistakes, disappointment and failure, they are more likely to stick with challenging tasks and complete learning activities. Self-esteem is needed life-long and we need to remember the important role we play to enhance or damage a child's self-esteem.