How to Boost Kids' Self-Esteem

May 27, 2024

Self-esteem is a concerning topic for parents of tweens and teenagers going through some big changes. But did you know that it’s just as important for little ones? Nurturing positive self-esteem from the get-go lays a strong foundation for kids to learn, grow, and face challenges with confidence.

So, what is self-esteem? Self-esteem is how we value and perceive ourselves. It measures how good we feel about our physical appearances, our morals, our worth, and our abilities. In other words, it’s about liking yourself!

The Benefits of High Self-Esteem

When kids feel confident, they sparkle inside and out! They feel happier, they express themselves freely, and they have an easier time reaching their true potential. Good self-esteem is like holding hands with your inner self, or like wearing a shiny, invisible suit of armor. It helps you feel safe!

Here are some of the many benefits you might notice in a child with high self-esteem:

Having a can-do attitude
Problem-solving skills
A stronger desire for learning
Independence and self-motivation
Willingness to try again
Fewer behavioral issues

10 Ways to Boost a Child's Self-Esteem

Whether you are a parent, a sitter, a sibling, an educator, or whatever the case may be, there are lots of little things you can do to help improve a child’s feeling of self-worth.

1. Be a good role model. Do your best to keep a positive attitude when completing a chore or facing a challenge, because kids mirror the grown-ups around them. Show patience, understanding, and effort. Setting that example will teach kids to do the same, so they can roll with the punches while still feeling good.

2. Teach everyday skills. Helping your child learn to do something as simple as holding a cup of juice on their own is an opportunity to boost self-esteem. Take the time to teach them – rather than choosing to do the task yourself – even if your kiddo makes mistakes! Let them try, learn, and feel proud.

3. Give them a lookalike doll. A doll for self-esteem? You bet! Kids see themselves in their dolls, so having one that looks just like them helps to validate their feelings and their physical appearance. Look for a doll that matches your child’s skin tone, eye color, and hair color. And see all our top 10 benefits of playing with dolls!

4. Follow the leader. When possible, give your kiddo the opportunity to lead the conversation or the activity at hand. Give them a chance to instigate, then answer your kiddo immediately to keep the interaction going. If you are there to listen, they know their voice matters!

5. Practice positive affirmations. Ask your kiddo to repeat statements such as “I am loved,” “I am brave,” and “I am capable.” Saying these things out loud will help to create optimistic thought patterns, which helps to boost self-esteem. You can also make this a hands-on activity with our positive affirmation craft or growth mindset activity book!

6. Try a new sport. Extracurricular activities teach kids to persevere and overcome their fears! Experiment with different classes and mix up your child’s routine with out-of-the-box activities such as indoor rock climbing. As always, be sure to praise them for their efforts.

7. Praise the positives. Let mistakes be learning opportunities and always avoid harsh criticism because it can damage a child’s self-esteem. It’s ok to fail! That said, make a point to praise effort, good behavior, and successes. When your kiddo is feeling down, ask them to share a few good things about their day! This habit will, over time, help them look on the brighter side of life.

8. Provide your undivided attention. While this one may be challenging, it’s important for kids to feel heard. Allow them to complete their thoughts and share their ideas with you. You’ll not only be teaching good listening manners but showing love!

9. Give options. Would your kiddo like to feed the dog or set the table? Wear this shirt or that shirt? Offering age-appropriate choices like these every day gives kids a feeling of power, which helps them feel good about themselves.

10. Encourage generosity. When your kiddo wants to share or to help someone out, let them go for it! Seeing how their actions affect others in a positive way sparks confidence and helps to grow self-esteem.

In the end, building a child’s self-esteem is all about giving them the tools to succeed and overcome with a safe place to land. Listen, encourage, and give power. With high self-esteem, kids feel liked and accepted, so they are more likely to take risks and live more fulfilling lives, now and through adulthood!

What do you do to help others sparkle? Share this blog post with your friends and let us know what you think by tagging @myglittergirls on Instagram or Facebook!