Getting them to develop their self-esteem from an early age will allow them to reach maturity with more self-confidence so they can be happy in their relationships. So that no one controls them or makes them unhappy
Self-esteem is one of the fundamental pieces of the puzzle for each one of us, it is the support that sustains us and where we build our self. For this reason it is important to promote self-esteem in children, since thanks to it we will grow with maturity and security.
But sometimes it is not so easy to achieve it, here we propose better keys to promote self-esteem in your children.
The importance of self-esteem in children
We know, no one comes into this world with a perfect recipe to make children happy and achieve all their goals in adulthood. Sometimes it is difficult, others, the little ones have a character that is difficult to control or even that we do not know how to manage. Fostering self-esteem in children is a key pillar in their education.
It is a way for them to be more autonomous, strong and responsible. In fact, it is essential that they know how to protect themselves and value themselves. Parents will not be able to be with them at all times, which is why it is common to see children attacked by their own classmates at school on occasion.
Bullying is a dangerous reality that we can solve if we give our little ones strategies. And even more so, getting them to develop their self-esteem from a very young age will allow them to reach maturity with more self-confidence so that they can be happy in their relationships. So that no one controls them or makes them unhappy. It's worth a try. We explain how.
Keys to developing self-esteem in children
1. Encourages their responsibility
Remember that a child's education begins from birth. For this reason, establishing routines and habits such as times to eat, sleep, rest or bathe as they grow, together with the assignment of a series of responsibilities such as picking up their toys, making the bed or clearing the table will help them feel useful, live with a certain order and learn to value yourself.
Having responsibilities will make them understand that life also has obligations. In this way, if they comply with them and do them well, they will feel proud because they will perceive themselves as capable and useful. Thus, if they are able to perform their homework properly, fix their room, order their clothes or take care of their pet, the feeling of worth they experience will increase, as will their self-esteem.
2. Value everything they do well, support them
There are parents who make the mistake of not recognizing what their children do well, while they dedicate themselves solely to pointing out their mistakes and failures. However, this practice is not the most recommended to promote self-esteem in children, since, sooner or later, they will end up ignoring it, not making an effort and worst of all, it will negatively affect their perception of themselves. themselves.
If they do something well, the appropriate thing to do is to reinforce them with phrases such as "how well you did it, I knew you were capable of doing it", "great, mom always trusts you because you are the best" "congratulations, I am very proud". In the event that they do something wrong, the appropriate thing is not to scold them or reproach them with expressions such as "it's always the same, you'll never be able to do something right."
Nor should we make the mistake of comparing them with other children or siblings. What should be done is simply tell them what they have done wrong and how they can do better. Give them confidence, encourage them. «I know that you have failed these subjects, but I am sure that if you make an effort you will get it because you are worth it». "Don't worry, try harder and you'll get it."
A curious fact that has to do with the influence of comparisons on children is what has been obtained from an investigation carried out by the University of Indiana. Their results have confirmed that long exposure to television can play a significant role in children, making them feel worse when they cannot avoid comparing themselves with what they see on it.
3. Show them trust and love
Love and constant trust are essential foods to increase self-esteem in children. The psychologist Ana Torre affirms that “if we value them, they will too. We are like mirrors for them, the image that we return to them will be the one they have of themselves.
They must feel loved, valued, integrated and recognized. For this reason it is very important that we let them know that we love them and that they are very special people, that we trust them and that our love for them is unconditional. All this will give them emotional security and increase their self-esteem.
4. Teach them to be assertive
Assertiveness is based on knowing how to defend yourself. In speaking out loud and in the first person about what we want and want, preventing the rest from manipulating us. Learning to say no is key so that they do not feel subdued or dominated.
Give them a democratic education where there are rules, but that they understand. Do not submit or act like an authoritarian parent, reason with them and always establish open communication where trust exists. If you ban them they will always end up avoiding you. If you reason with them they will always talk to you. Being assertive and knowing how to defend their right and their voice will help them to reinforce their self-esteem, to see themselves as strong and capable at school and also in life.
Lastly, remember that true education takes place at home and that we, the parents and educators, must set an example. Raising happy children requires effort, but if we transmit trust, love, dialogue and teach them where the limits are, they will grow with maturity. It's worth it.