A lot of things in our lives trace back to childhood. Whether it is pain or happiness, it has a basis there. Help your child to create and maintain a positive self-image of themselves from an early age.
What is the importance of self-image?
It is how we see ourselves in our own eyes. What we think of ourselves is linked to how we allow the perceptions of others affect us. If it has been instilled in you by parents that you are a worthwhile person, and then it will be harder for someone else to undo that. When you start with no image of yourself, then others have a greater influence and it can build up or destroy you at a fragile time in your life.
Helping your Child with their Self-Image
We know that kids will encounter all sorts of people in their lives. Children are not known for their sensitivity. They do tease others and this teasing can be hurtful and leave scars that are not visible to the naked eye.
As parents, we can help. From the beginning of their lives, we can bring encouragement and a sense of self worth to our children whenever possible. Here are some ways to do that.
Offer praise – When your child does something new or noteworthy, show them specific praise. Don’t say “good job” rather be specific, “I can tell it took a lot of time to paint that picture, that shows you have perseverance.” Let them know how important it was to you to be a part of it. It is already important to them and they shared the moment with you.
Appreciate their talents – Whatever way your child is gifted, embrace it. Often as parents, we want things for our children that we didn’t have. This can unwittingly crush their tender dreams. Allow for their self-expression and accept them for who they are.
Treat them as individuals – Children often develop quirks to their personality at a young age. Instead of comparing them to their siblings, acknowledge their differences and show them to be an asset to their character.
Encourage their dreams – When your child says they have an aspiration, get behind it. They may say they want to be an astronaut. In this world, nothing is beyond their reach. Let them know that.
Share their dreams – If his interest today is paleontology, take him to the museum to see dinosaur bones. Just this simple act shows that you value them and how they see themselves.
Teach them about their culture – Show that they come from a heritage that they can be proud of by teaching them the merits of their culture. It also gives them pride and appreciation for those of different cultures as well.
As a child, self-image is fragile. Take the time to shape it with tender hands into a strong identity.
Children learn their social skills and coping mechanisms from you and others around them. If you want to send them out into the world with a solid foundation that will help them to survive and thrive in any situation, I suggest “104 Activities That Build: Self-Esteem, Teamwork, Communication, Anger Management, Self-Discovery, Coping Skills”
This is not just a book to be read but it is filled with 104 games and activities for children that help them to learn various skills such as working with others, feeling good about themselves, gaining confidence, managing their anger, making friends and also learning about who they are.
The book can be used by families who want to give their children every social advantage, church groups, schools and youth groups. The tone of the book is very upbeat and encouraging to both leader and child. The games are interactive so people get talking. Also, if you are short on money, you don’t have to worry. You don’t need a lot of extra stuff to enjoy and learn from these activities.
Do you feel you could other tips to create an atmosphere where your children have a positive self-image? Give them every advantage in the world with the useful information found in this book, The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids. You will never regret spending the time and energy to helping your child to feel positive about who they are.
What did your parents do to build your self-image?
