How to Build Confidence in Children

Building confidence in children isn’t rocket science. Give them the love and attention they deserve and help them out along the journey. 50 simple ways to help below;

1. Ensure you offer unconditional love
2. Let them be them self – don’t try to change them
3. Don’t criticise them
4. Appreciate the effort, not the result
5. Let them figure out problems
6. Help them to experience new experiences and a wide range of activities
7. Spend time with them
8. Pay attention to them
9. Provide encouragement
10. Let them make decisions
11. Don’t compare them to others
12. Let them overhear you talking positively about them
13. Pass on your skills and knowledge
14. Work on yourself – when you are confident, it will pass on to your children. (Peaceful Soul guide to confidence here)
15. Give them a puzzle or challenge to solve
16. Try not to let them know if you’re worried or anxious about them
17. Ask for their advice – Get them thinking
18. Accept that they will have genuine fears and insecurities
19. Don’t make excuses for them
20. Encourage them to have empathy and understand others feelings
21. Try to keep them in the real world – not constantly in front of screens
22. Don’t give them special treatment (well, not all the time) 
23. Take an interest in what they do
24. Explain and help them to use positive self-talk (Peaceful Soul guide here)
25. Encourage them to help others (Peaceful Soul guide here)
26. Use role play to practice situations they might not be comfortable with
27. Help them set goals and things to work towards
28. Praise courage and bravery when trying something new
29. Compliment them for things they should be complimented for – not just all the time
30. Let them act their age
31. Encourage them to practice things to build up their competence
32. Help them to view mistakes as learnings
33. Create a wall of fame to showcase their achievements
34. Don’t always tell them what to do – let them work it out for themselves 
35. Let them know you are proud of them
36. Don’t label them
37. Explain that children are different and let them know their unique qualities 
38. Encourage them to talk to adults (that you know and when you are with them)
39. Don’t push them into things that they really don’t want to do
40. Hang their pictures and drawing around the house
41. Encourage them to express their feelings
42. Let them take appropriate risks
43. Teach them breathing and relaxation techniques (Try Here)
44. Allow them to make mistakes (and learn from them)
45. Don’t dismiss their feelings
46. Criticise their behaviour, not them
47. Know their limits
48. Let them carry out small jobs – give them a sense of responsibility
49. Listen to them
50. If you are really worried about your child’s lack of confidence think about getting professional help from a counsellor or therapist