Self-Confidence For Kids & Parents
Strategies to improve self-confidence, self-worth, and self-image and why they matter.
Does Your Child Dream Big, But Doubt Holds Them Back?
Is your once fearless adventurer suddenly avoiding new things? Does your child shy away from raising their hand in class or trying out for that play? The harsh truth is, between the ages of 10-15, self-doubt starts to creep in amongst the trials and tribulations of adolescence.
You may remember feeling this way when you were their age...
...And you may even remember feeling like your parents had no idea how to help you through it.
This is a crucial time to equip your child with the skills they need to believe in themselves. Confidence isn't just about feeling good. It's about the courage to try new things, the resilience to bounce back from setbacks, and the belief that they can achieve anything they set their mind to. And you can help them learn how.
Why Self-Confidence For Kids Matters
Self-confidence is a foundational skill that will impact your child's future in countless ways.
- Academic Success: Confident students are more likely to participate in class, take on challenging assignments, and achieve higher grades.
- Career Opportunities: Self-assured individuals are more likely to pursue their passions, network effectively, and land their dream jobs.
- Strong Relationships: Confidence helps build healthy relationships with peers, family, and romantic partners.
- Improved Mental Health: Self-belief can protect against anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
While traditional education focuses on academic subjects, it often neglects the development of essential life skills like self-confidence. And many generations of parents did not have the tools to teach these essential skills - meaning kids from your generation (and maybe you too) were left to figure out these essential skills on their own, the hard way. That doesn't have to be your child's experience.
Skills like self-confidence will increase the likelihood of your child having a happier and more fulfilling life while also making your job as a parent easier and strengthen the bond between you and your child. Keep reading for questions and exercises you can use today to start exploring this skill with your child.
How Parents Can Teach Self-Confidence To Kids
Use our questions and exercises below to assess and find natural ways to boost your child's self-confidence in everyday life.
Questions to ask about self-confidence:
Self-Perception:
"How do you feel about yourself?"
"What are you good at?"
"What are some things you'd like to improve?"
Social Interactions:
"How do you feel about making new friends?"
"Do you feel comfortable talking to people you don't know?"
"How do you handle disagreements with friends?"
Academic Performance:
"How do you feel about school?"
"Are there any subjects you find challenging? Why?"
"Do you feel confident about your abilities in school?"
Goal Setting:
"What are your goals for the next year?"
"Do you feel confident that you can achieve your goals?"
Self-Criticism:
"How do you feel when you make a mistake?"
"Do you tend to be hard on yourself?"
Exercises to boost your child's self-confidence:
Strengths and Weaknesses:
- Have your child create a list of their perceived strengths and weaknesses.
- Reassure your child that it is normal to have areas for improvement.
- Discuss how strengths can be used to overcome weaknesses.
- Help them set achievable goals for improvement.
Positive Affirmations:
- Write positive affirmations and repeat them daily.
- Say positive things to your child about themselves.
Role-Playing:
- Practice social situations, such as starting a conversation or giving a presentation.
- Provide feedback and encouragement.
Mindfulness Exercises:
- Practice mindfulness techniques like deep breathing and meditation.
- This can help reduce anxiety and increase self-awareness.
Celebrate Achievements:
- Acknowledge and celebrate your child's accomplishments, no matter how small.
- This can boost their self-esteem and motivate them to keep trying.
We recommend working these questions and exercises into your daily routine in small increments where conversation can happen easily. Some examples could be:
In the car on the way to school or sports practice.
While doing chores together.
Or, during dinner time.
The goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where your child feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings. Even a few minutes a day makes a huge difference in the long run!
If you have concerns about your child's self-confidence, consider a social-emotional learning program like Bloomster that has been developed and reviewed by a team of licensed teachers, PhDs, clinical practitioners, and psychologists that specialize in childhood development.
Why Holistic Education Matters
Today's world is hard on parents. Especially parents of adolescents. Currently, schools are not teaching these vital skills, let alone making them a priority.
If you feel like you don't have enough time to teach your child all the skills they need to become capable adults - you have found the solution.
If you want your child to be a better problem-solver, more independent, responsible, a better communicator, or to improve their attitude and mindset - holistic education is the answer.
Studies have consistently shown that children who receive holistic education go on to become more well-rounded adults who are less stressed, have healthier relationships, more successful careers, and happier lives.
Want To Learn More?
Courses To Learn Self-Confidence
If you want extra support to help your child learn self-confidence skills, Bloomster can help. Check out Confident You: Believe In Yourself - Bloomster's dedicated course to teach kids the skill of self-confidence.
Confident You: Believe In Yourself
Course Overview
In this course, the learner will learn about self-confidence and self-esteem and how they play a role in how kids feel about both themselves and others. They will learn about tools they can use to build self-confidence, like using positive self-talk, and get comfortable asking others for help and for what they want.
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Meet Course Creator, Dr. Lisabeth Medlock
Dr. Medlock is a psychologist, ICF and Board Certified Coach and consultant with a mission to help people and organizations do better and be better. She serves as an advocate, solutions finder, change agent and resource. For 30 years she has worked with public and nonprofit organizations, beginning in middle schools developing self-competence and conflict resolution programs. She has worked with over 100 organizations to improve their impact on the people and communities they serve. She has been a blogger for the Huffington Post, a TEDx speaker, an author, and has developed myriad curricula, training manuals and self-help booklets.
