13 Fun & Effective Ways to Build Confidence in Your Child!
1. Celebrate Effort, Not Just Success!
When your child works hard, it’s worth a cheer—even if the result isn’t perfect!
Did they put pants on backwards? No problem, they put on pants!
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill
2. Encourage Healthy Risks!
Let them climb that tree! (Within reason, of course.)
Kids need a chance to test their limits and see how strong they are. Just be prepared for when they come running back for a Band-Aid.
Confidence thrives in scraped knees!
3. Teach Them to Fail Gracefully
Failure is part of life, but how they handle it can define their confidence.
Show them it’s okay to fail—everyone does!
Let them know that if at first they don’t succeed, “no biggie”.
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas Edison
4. Give Praise, but Make It Real!
Kids can smell fake praise from a mile away!
If they’re not the next Picasso, that’s okay!
Focus on their determination, creativity, or their impressive ability to cover the kitchen in glitter.
5. Let Them Solve Their Own Problems.....(Sometimes)
You don’t need to swoop in like a superhero at every sign of trouble.
Give your child space to figure things out……
Sure, you’ll be biting your nails as they puzzle through their math homework, but when they get it, they’ll feel like Einstein!
6. Be Their Mirror
Reflect back their strengths when they don’t see them.
When they say, “I can’t do this,” you can say;
“Remember when you thought you couldn’t ride a bike?”
7. Model Confidence Yourself
Kids are copycats, so show them how it’s done!
Whether you’re fixing a leaky tap or rocking a presentation at work, let them see you tackle challenges with confidence (even if you’re secretly Googling “how to fix a leaky tap”).
“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” – James Baldwin
8. Foster Their Passions......Even the Odd Ones
Whether they’re into painting, coding, or collecting glow-in-the-dark bugs, support their interests!
You never know, today’s bug collector could be tomorrow’s famous entomologist!
9. Encourage Friendships
Healthy social connections help build a sense of belonging and confidence.
Whether they’re best buds with the neighbour’s kid or forming an elite Lego-building squad, friendships foster security.
10. Create a Safe Space to Be Themselves
When kids feel accepted at home, they’re more likely to be confident out in the world.
Create a space where they can express their thoughts, feelings, and quirks freely—even if it means hearing why they “absolutely need” a pet hamster (again).
11. Teach Gratitude and Positive Self-Talk
Help them focus on what’s great about their life and themselves.
Teach them to say things like, “I’m awesome at this!” instead of “I’m so bad at everything.”
Even if the “this” is being really good at making PeanutButter sandwiches.
“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford
12. Encourage Problem-Solving
Resist the urge to answer all their questions right away.
Let them think things through, even if they come up with hilariously wrong conclusions at first. “How do planes fly? Is it magic?”
13. Laugh at the Little Things
If they see you taking life lightly, they will too!
When things go wrong (and they will), have a laugh together. Dropped the ice cream on the floor? Whoops! Now you have a story to tell.
Confidence comes from knowing it’s okay to laugh off mistakes.
“Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.” – Elbert Hubbard
“Remember: Confidence is built over time, with love, patience, and a lot of laughter.
As parents, remember you don’t have to be perfect — just present, and sometimes that’s all they need!”
By Michelle Booth
phone: 07624427650
email: michelle@nlp4kids.org
www.childtherapyisleofman.nlp4kids.org
#isleofman #childtherapy #mentalhealth #confidence #positivity
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