Most parents hope to raise a confident child; one who is at ease in social situations, comfortable contributing in class, able to try new things and take risks. However, this is easier said than done as confidence isn’t something that comes naturally to all children. There’s nothing wrong with an introverted child, as long as it doesn’t hold them back. With that said, I have teamed up with a prep school in Somerset to offer the following advice for parents on how to raise a confident child.
Extra-curricular activities are fantastic for helping a child step out of their comfort zone and increase their confidence. Whether they successfully perform a piece of music on their instrument or win a football match with their team, they will feel a sense of accomplishment that will go a long way to boosting their self-esteem. Encourage your child to join an activity of their choosing and watch their skills improve and their confidence flourish.
Another way to help your child with their confidence is to give them some basic, achievable responsibilities around the house. This will show them that you trust them and will give them a sense of pride when they complete their tasks. Slowly but surely, you can increase their responsibilities so that they start to learn that they can do anything they set their mind to.
Refrain from being harsh on your child when they make mistakes or don’t get the grades you were all hoping for. This will only damage their self-esteem and make them feel anxious when tackling challenges in the future. Instead, try and instil a growth mindset within your child by reminding them that we all make mistakes that we must learn from. This will help them feel optimistic about future endeavours. You should also praise them for the effort they put in, rather than focussing on the end result.
