In part 1 of this article, we explored why building your child’s self-esteem is so crucial, and 12 initial ways in which you could go about doing this. However, this is by no means a limited topic, and understanding your child’s self-esteem is a whole journey in itself! One which takes time, thought, consideration, and getting to know who your child is as an individual.

Therefore, we thought it would be helpful to explore this subject a bit further, so you can feel fully equipped when it comes to ways in which you can boost your child’s self-esteem.

What are some other ways I can boost my child’s self-esteem?

Address your child by name. Helping your child to feel special is one of the most important parts of parenting, and a key factor in boosting their self-esteem. When a child is addressed by name, as well as given direct eye contact and touch, they feel that they matter, that they are special. Also, be careful with the tone you are using when addressing them by name, as this will contribute to their belief about what mood you are in with them, and how you view them as a person.

Practice the carryover principle. The carryover principle is a term that has been coined to describe what happens when a child enjoys one activity, it boosts their self-image, and therefore snowballs into them continuing on into other positive endeavours. So, when you notice that your child is particularly good at something, make efforts to encourage these talents. Regularly remind them what they are good at, as this will give them the confidence to build on these skills.

Set your child up to succeed. Sometimes your child will have an ability in a certain area that they won’t have necessarily recognised in themselves yet. Look out for these abilities, and when you notice them, make efforts to encourage your child to work on them. However, you may find that your child doesn’t enjoy a particular activity, even if they are good at it. So make sure to encourage them without pressuring them. You should always encourage your child to try, but if they are clearly not enjoying something, don’t force them, as this could be extremely counterproductive.

Wall of fame. Every child needs to feel that they are good at something. This is one of the most important aspects of them building their own self-esteem. Although this is an inner journey they must go on themselves, there are nevertheless ways in which you can help. One of these ways is to create a space in your house where you display and show off your child’s accomplishments, be they horse ribbons, cheerleading trophies, or spelling certificates. Every time your child walks past this area in the house, they will feel an inner sense of pride.

Beware of value-by-comparisons. As your child grows up, they will become very aware of how others view them, and this will contribute to how they in turn see themselves and their own value. Therefore, make efforts to show your child that they are valuable not because of their achievements, but because of who they are as a person. So, even if they haven’t done well on a test or gotten a gold star on their homework, give them your undivided attention regardless. This way, they will understand that they are still worthy, valuable, and loved, even if they don’t hit targets and expectations.

Arm your child against intruders into their self-esteem. When your child goes out into the world, they will likely come across a lot of characters that will either contribute to boosting their self-esteem, or, to put it bluntly, tear it down. Your child is at such a tentative age, so it’s important you monitor who is in their lives. Ask yourself, are their friends good influences? Do you like their school teachers, swimming coach, or ballet instructor? All of these people could potentially have an effect on their self-esteem, self-image, and overall values, so it’s crucial to monitor their relationships at this time, and do your best to ground your child with strong values at home.

Keeping a kid-friendly home. When your child is at school, you obviously can’t monitor how they are doing 24/7; you’ll mainly learn about their social interactions and style through feedback from their teachers. However, a good way to understand more about your child’s social style and personality is to create a kid-friendly home. Invite your child’s friends around for playdates, and observe how your little one interacts with them. This will also tell you a lot about how their peers are influencing them and potentially affecting their self-worth.

How do I bolster my child's self-esteem? (Part 2)

In this three-part article, Unii explores how to give your child healthy self-regard.