The cornerstone of a child's future success and happiness is the self-confidence built during early childhood. Self-confidence does not mean the child is perfect, but rather that they can feel valuable even if they make mistakes.
What Should Be Done to Build Self-Confidence?
- Praise the Effort, Not the Intelligence: Instead of saying "You are so smart," appreciate their effort by saying, "I saw how hard you worked while drawing this picture, great effort."
- Give Responsibility: Giving age-appropriate tasks (picking up toys, setting the table) instills the feeling of "I can do it".
- Avoid Comparisons: Comparisons like "Look how your sibling/friend finished their food" cause the child to feel inadequate.
Show Unconditional Love
Your child should feel that you love them not only when they are behaving well or getting good grades but also when they make mistakes. When they break a glass, instead of yelling at them, the approach "You are what matters, let's clean it up together" cements the child's trust in you and themselves.
