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how to build self confidence
Boosting
self confidence |
Self confidence
is manifested in many different ways and no one in the world shows self
confidence in all situations, all the time. Having said that however,
all parents would like their child to be a self confident individual as
opposed to a self doubting, fearful individual who is afraid to act for
fear of failure and is dependent upon others for approval. In addition
such children and adults tend to suffer from problems of low self esteem
and depression, and an inability to cope effectively with the problems
of daily life.
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confident children are willing to take risks and challenge themselves
and have the ability to dream big dreams, follow through and
to meet all obstacles with courage. |
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What are
the ways in which we can help our children become more self confident?
As with all else the best time to start is at infancy, but its never too
late to begin -
- Make a distinction between a child as bad or good and the behaviour
as bad or good. A child is not bad or clumsy or stupid, the behaviour
at a particular time is bad, clumsy or thoughtless. Don't tell the
child he or she is good only when the behaviour is good - the child
will believe that he is worthy only when he pleases his parent (or
any other authority figure in his life).
- Catch a child doing something right more often than you catch him
doing something wrong. Acknowledge and praise freely and don't let
older people talk you out of it on the grounds that you will spoil
the child. You will spoil the child only when your praise is not for
an actual achievement - acknowledging honestly an achievement of the
child only raises self confidence.
- Don't let the others in the family thoughtlessly comment on his
laziness/ clumsiness / black colour / etc.. If you can't stop them,
let your child know that in your eyes he's still wonderful.
- Don't club children together - they are all individuals
with individual natures and likes and dislikes. Don't compare your
children to anyone. Don't allow others to either.
- Give your children responsibility according to age. If they fail,
it doesn't matter, the important thing is that they tried. If you
try and do everything for a child the child begins to doubt his own
competence.
- Be a good role model - confident, self respecting, responsible
and positive. Look after yourself - your children will learn to value
themselves and take care of themselves.
- Don't criticize your children to others or complain about them
in front of others.
- Play with them - physical contact is essential for making a child
feel loved and worthwhile and consequently self confident.
- Encourage children to stretch their capabilities and accept challenges.
Don't encourage them to always opt for safety and comfort - the real,
world which they will grow into, will not be so protective.
- Encourage a positive approach to life not complaints and hopeless
or pessimistic view of life.
- Don't allow your children to put themselves down.
- Make it clear that your love and approval are not conditional on
good grades, good behavour or any other external consideration.
- Teach the child to consider failure as a part of life rather than
an end to it.
- Encourage your children to be able to spend time comfortably with
themselves and not be dependent upon others or TV to entertain them
always.
- Teach children to assess them own mistake rather than blame others.
- Encourage tolerance and don't teach or allow them to become hating
individuals.
- Be involved in their lives, take time out for them, read to them,
encourage their friends to visit. If they feel loved they will be
confident.
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