Raising Confident Kids: Tips and Strategies for Building Self-Esteem
Fit Learning’s Evidence-Based Approach to Building Confident Learners
As a parent or educator, one of the crucial responsibilities is to assist children in cultivating their confidence and self-esteem. When a child possesses self-assurance, they are more inclined to embrace new experiences, confront challenges with resilience, and persist through setbacks. Such confidence built during childhood sets the groundwork for developing healthy relationships, academic and professional success, and the ability to overcome adversities in adulthood.
Helping to build confidence is at the forefront of the Fit Learning Model. One of the first pieces of feedback we receive from parents is the immediate increase they see in their child’s confidence. Even after two weeks of sessions, parents notice a positive change in their child. Why? Because we have designed a unique approach to tracking progress and celebrating achievements. When a child achieves a “personal best” on a specific skill, they earn points and record their achievement on an individualized tracking sheet; when a child masters a new skill, we celebrate their achievement by ringing a bell and cheering as a group. This positive reinforcement not only acknowledges their hard work and dedication but also encourages them to continue putting forth their best effort.
At Fit Learning, we know that self-esteem is actually a by-product of effective instruction. Fit Learning Founder Dr. Kim Berens, stated, “When kids receive the kind of instruction that enables them to actually master essential skills, they experience a total transformation–not only in their academic abilities but in how they view themselves. They become confident, perseverant, and willing to tackle more difficult challenges.”
We are confident our personalized approach can help your child reach their full potential.
What do Fit Learning Cleveland parents say about their children’s confidence? Click here to find out!
At-Home Strategies for Boosting Confidence
Set Goals. One effective strategy to help build confidence is to help your child set small, achievable goals. Encourage your child to identify an area in which they would like to improve, such as a specific skill or activity. Then, work with them to set a goal that is specific, measurable, and achievable within a reasonable timeframe. For example, if your child wants to improve their basketball skills, their goal could be to make 10 free throws in a row by the end of the week. By achieving small goals like this, your child will gain confidence in their abilities and feel motivated to set and achieve even bigger goals. Assist your child in keeping track of their progress, and celebrate as they reach each benchmark along the way. A small celebration will teach your child to have pride in their accomplishments. For an added bonus, set your own goals along with them! Click here for additional information on goal setting.
Give Them Responsibilities. Another way to build your child’s confidence is to give them responsibilities around the house. Children, like adults, like to feel that their contributions are acknowledged and valued. The task could be as simple as setting the table for dinner or taking out the trash. Or it may be a higher-stakes responsibility, such as helping out with a pet or a younger sibling. Your child can be your “junior chef” and help make meals or bake treats. In the yard, your child can be your “yard manager” and assist with raking leaves, planting flowers, or tending to the garden. Giving your child tasks to complete shows them that you trust them and believe in their ability to handle responsibility. This can be a big confidence booster for children, especially if they are successful in completing their tasks.
Check out and download this list of over 100 jobs at home for children of all ages.
Practice Positive Self Talk. Positive self-talk is another important strategy for building confidence in children. Unfortunately, children and parents often fall prey to negative self-talk, utter phrases like “I can’t do this,” “this is too hard,” and “I’m dumb.” At Fit Learning, our coaches replace such language with more constructive substitutes, like “this is hard, but I can do it,” “this is challenging, but I can manage it,” or “I will try my best.” Positive self-talk works not just for academics but for all skills. By practicing positive phrases with your child and setting an example of self-encouragement, you can help them develop and apply these skills throughout their lives. Click here for a list of positive affirmations for children.