The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice”…..Peggy O’Mara.
Setting an example of a great and positive role model for kids is but only one of the many effective ways that you can boost your child’s self-esteem and confidence. Whatever values you wish to teach children will quickly be forgotten if your kids observe you contradict what you try to share.
Your example should reflect consistency, determination, and energy!
Children have to be able to face challenges to achieve and to thrive. Moreover, in the same way, must their educators and parents set that example of critical thinking and successful problem solving, not letting “failures” undermine them in their own walk of life!
Because children are watching adults all the time, your actions, beliefs, and attitudes become integrated into your children’s way of being. Therefore, it is very important that you be very intentional about what behaviours you model for your children; what we stand for and hence they will develop their own moral reasoning, which is crucial.
The associated benefits of a well -designed self-esteem and confidence program in our schools, aligned with a supportive parent program, are positive changes with regard to outcomes such as emotional literacy, communication skills, creativity and critical thinking, problem-solving and success.
Viewed this way, it is apparent that children themselves are the true wealth of creative potential in every classroom; they just need opportunities to exercise that creativity to build their confidence, and hence develop their self-esteem. When children are encouraged to think, create, ask, and do, they will learn the value of expanding upon their ideas. Conversely, if they are told to avoid questions or dismiss their own ideas, then their creativity and critical thinking and potential in problem-solving are minimized, and their confidence and self-esteem damaged.
There are formal programs like the ACK that schools could implement. It addresses various themes of developing self-esteem and confidence and is facilitated by means of stories applying creative arts, nature photography, and associated child-friendly and age appropriate moral lessons in storytelling. It also creates added knowledge value.
She looked up and said: “Grandpa, do you know what?” “Tell me”, I said. “Well, I think I know why these shells are called Goats eye and Duck foot”. “Tell me more”, I said.
“Well Grandpa, can’t you see for yourself, it is because they just look like that…….didn’t you know that!?”
“Sort of, I did know”, I said. “Who told you that?”
“Mom said so, and she always knows lots. You know what? One day I am going to be just as clever and fit as mommy”.
“That is very true about what mom says, Judy”, I said. “Your design looks cool”.
Because Moms know best, I thought, best I don’t say anything more.
Moral lesson: values and knowledge via positive role model
You might want to read more about why you should teach your child about respect.
