Effective Tips To Boost Your Child’s Self-Esteem
*This is a collaborative post
Self-esteem is a big issue for many people in the UK, including children. According to Dove’s 2017 Global Girls Beauty and Confidence report, about 61% of 10 to 17-year-old girls in the UK struggle with low self-esteem. Therefore, the onus is on parents to establish healthy self-esteem in their children as part of their development. Children with more confidence feel very competent and loved and will most likely develop into happy and productive teens and adults. If you wish to learn more about enhancing your child’s self-esteem, consider these points.
- Display family photographs in the home
It may not seem like a big deal if you have ceased the tradition of taking annual family portraits, especially if you aren’t sending holiday cards anymore or updating your Facebook profile picture anytime soon. However, family photographs are non-negotiable if you wish to build your children’s self-esteem and how they view themselves in the world. A Tulane University study discovered that children who view photographs of themselves in a family unit are more confident than their counterparts with no exposure to family portraits.
This reality is because displaying pictures prominently in the house sends the message that the family and its constituents are important to one another. Consequently, it is easier for children to feel a sense of belonging, reassurance, and comfort. Family photographs can also remind your children that your home is a safe space, irrespective of what life throws at them. This way, they can easily understand how they fit into the family as a unit. Finally, family photographs can also help children understand their identity early and navigate life with more confidence. Like many parents, you probably take numerous photographs of your children and the entire family with your smartphone. However, it is better to have physical prints on your wall on full display. Therefore, consider investing in multi aperture photo frames to create a family picture gallery.
- Monitor technology use
Technology has revolutionised connectivity in today’s world. However, this can be both a good and bad thing. Technology is positive because individuals can be more productive and remain connected to others from the comfort of their homes. However, online activity can come at the cost of less physical activity and other downsides. For instance, social media can negatively affect a teenager’s self-esteem, identity, and body image. Also, too much technology use can prevent kids from getting face-to-face interactions, which is a far better substitute for virtual simulation.
- Don’t overpraise
It is a popular misconception that continuous praise will help our children build self-esteem. However, over-praising your children can do more harm than good. Self-esteem stems from feeling secure and loved and from building competence. Although parents can shower their children with the first two ingredients, it takes time and effort to build competence. As such, you cannot praise your children for competence. Over-praising lowers the bar for children, convincing them they do not need to push themselves. Also, constant complimenting can make children obsessed with perfection. Finally, inaccurate praising can create egomaniacs who will only be disappointed and insecure when their delusions shatter sooner or later. Therefore, praise sparingly and keep compliments as genuine as possible.
