How to Boost Your Child’s Confidence

Are you wanting to boost your child’s confidence to feel good about themselves no matter the given circumstances? Maybe you want them to feel confident that whatever their hearts desire is, they can have the means to accomplish it and pursue their dreams.

Growing up, children aren’t usually aware of social comparisons, where they are feeling bad about their appearance or abilities until they are put in a position to. Children are used to running freely, having fun in games or hobbies, and overall just doing what their heart desires.

At times, children may feel pitted up against other children and start to contemplate their abilities or self worth. If children are involved in a dysfunctional household, the toll of fighting or arguments can be stressful for them and also wear them down. 

For a child to talk about their confidence levels, it’s important that we educate them on what it means to be confidence as well as encourage them to build their confidence. 

As parents, we want the best for our children and to see them engage in hobbies or activities that they love. Therefore, it’s important for us to be their support system, their rock, their shoulder to lean on, in moments where they may be doubting their abilities. 

happy kid wearing red sweater sitting on wall

In child therapy in our Simi Valley Counseling practice, we are there for your children and family. 

We provide you and your family with the tools and coping mechanisms needed to achieve things such as improved communication, less fits, and more understanding and care to go around.

How To Boost Your Child’s Confidence: 

  1. Compliment them on a regular Basis 
  2. Show Interest in their hobbies or passions 
  3. Have a talk about mental health 
  4. Consider starting family therapy 

Continue reading for a more in depth description of each of the How to’s on boosting your child’s confidence! 

How to boost Your Child’s Confidence: Compliment them on a regular basis

You know that picture they just drew, which is supposed to be a self portrait but looks like a bunch of circles and scribbles? Make sure to let them know how fantastic of a job they did.

It’s important to show children that their efforts are recognized and appreciated. You can give them a compliment for their artwork by exclaiming how you can’t wait to display this on the fridge! 

woman holding her baby standing near shore

When they are creating something, let them know you’re very proud of them for doing it. It can be easy to compliment your child about the little things, even if you aren’t necessarily too fond of their artwork. It’s okay to give out little white lies sometimes.

If they are playing dress up or wanting to explore different fashions, let them know how stylish and unique they look. Self expression is a very important aspect to foster within a child, to let them know that they can express themselves however they want to. 

For example, if your child experiments with makeup, and comes up to you with a face full of foundation, eye shadow, and lipstick (even smudged all over the face in the wrong areas), let them know you think they’re doing a great job and to keep at it.

Encouraging children to continue to explore their interests and passions will make them feel confident in their abilities, even if they don’t have it perfect.

Boost Your Child’s Confidence: Show interest in their hobbies or passions

It can be very disheartening to hear your parents talk down on your hobbies or passions. It can lead your child to feel insecure about their interests and ultimately not want to share them or invest their time into them anymore.

smiling kid wearing green half jacket

Take some time to explore what they are passionate about. Could it be insects, nature, or robotics? Whatever it may be, help them learn more about it. 

By showing interest in their hobbies, you can engage in helping them, for example, building something or helping them collect bits and pieces of nature. This is a great way to bond with your child and let them know that you’re there for them to support them along the way!

If applicable, try surprising them with books on the topics of interest or tools related to their hobby, whether that be a new Lego set or a gold-mining set. Something along those lines, which shows you are listening to them and care about what they care about.

This will unconsciously manifest in them the knowledge that their parent/guardian is encouraging them to pursue their interests, and they will want to continue doing that.

Boost Your Child’s Confidence: Have a talk about mental health

In order to help your child feel confident, it’s important that you have a talk with them about what it means to be confident and what it means to be struggling with confidence. 

Confidence is a unique belief in oneself, the conviction that one has the ability to meet the challenges of life and persevere through it all. 

How to boost Your Child’s Confidence: Consider starting family therapy

happy boy in red sweater waving at the ipad

So, what does it mean to have confidence? What does it mean to be confident? Help your child understand when they are confident and when they may not be confident. Maybe they will doubt their abilities if they see a peer make a bigger sandcastle than them. Maybe they will feel more confident knowing that they can still do it, and their version is just as fine as the other.

Make sure to communicate with them that they can always come to you when they need some support. If they are feeling doubtful in themselves, they know they can express that to you with no repercussions or judgment involved. It’s crucial that children are able to express how they feel and receive the support they need.

At Simi Psychological Group, we value family systems and want to ensure that everyone can work as a unit to create real change. 

Our Simi Valley therapists make sure to help you, the parents, flourish and grow to the best of your abilities. 

happy boy in red tshirt sitting on grass

If your child’s lack of confidence may stem from unresolved trauma or dysfunctional family dynamics, it is a good idea to consult with a psychologist to learn more about parenting techniques and how to foster that support into your child. 

About Simi Psychological Group 

We are a team of therapists and psychologists in Simi Valley, Ca. Simi Psychological Group offers  Child therapy and family counseling, Teen therapy, Anxiety Treatment, Depression Therapy, Marriage Counseling, and Neuropsychological Testing.We are now offering Online Therapy in Los Angeles and Online Counseling Ventura County.  

Make sure to check out our other blogs on children and parenting including 3 ways to support your child’s self expression, 5 ways to help your anxious child feel more confident and 4 tips to help your child express emotions without tantruming

Previous

Next