Confidence isn’t an inborn trait. You have to cultivate it. And for parents, this means helping your child build confidence, day after day, with the help of your everyday interactions. Confidence is the biggest armour, especially in today’s times. But how do you instill confidence in your kid? Jeffrey Meltzer, a licensed mental health counselor based in Florida, graduated from the University of South Florida, has now shared five tips that will help you to raise confident kids. What are they? Let’s take a look.
Show unconditional love
According to Meltzer, in order to cultivate confidence in kids, one has to shower unconditional love. It is important to let your kid known that you will love them regardless of any achievement. “When kids know their worth doesn’t depend on achievements, they feel free to take risks, make mistakes, and grow without fear. Confidence thrives when kids feel secure in your love,” he said, in a video shared on Instagram.
Teach them fair play
Confidence is deeply linked to social acceptance. So, it is important to teach your kids to play fairly. “Kids who don’t wait their turn, cheat, or struggle to handle losing often face rejection from peers. Play games with them to model patience, resilience, and sportsmanship. When kids play well, others want to include them, boosting their confidence,” the therapist said.
Celebrate the process, not the outcome
If you child made so much effort to learn things, appreciate that. Teach them to respect the process, instead of focusing on the outcome. “Celebrate the process, not just the outcome. Praise how hard they’ve studied, not just the grade they earned, highlight how focused they were during practice, not just the win. Focusing on effort teaches kids to value what they can control, building confidence from within,” he explained.
Let them be the teacher
Another great way to foster confidence in your kids is to switch roles. “Let them be the teacher. Switch roles and have your child teach you something. Ask curiosity-driven questions to show you value their knowledge. Teaching reinforces their belief in their abilities and helps them feel capable and respected,” the therapist said. This will undoubtedly build confidence in them.
Practice daily realistic positivity
A positive outlook towards life is what drives you towards a brighter future. This applies to your kids as well. It is crucial to practice daily realistic positivity. How to do it? “Have them share the best thing they did today. One nice thing they did for someone else, something good someone else did, a good thing happening in the world, and one thing they’re looking forward to. This trains their brain to see the good of themselves, others, and the world, reinforcing a habit of looking for the good in life,” Meltzer said. These are not the magic guide to build confidence in kids, but these simple steps, over time, can really help. And as you practice these steps, remember, confidence cannot be built in a day. It takes time and patience, which is a must-have quality for any parent.
