They say confidence is key, and they would be absolutely right. While there is definitely nothing wrong with being an introvert or a little more timid, as a parent you should try and find ways to help your child break out of their shells and become more confident. As a result, they should start to feel more comfortable in their own skin, which will give them the courage to take risks, try new things and just be themselves around new people. Of course, raising a confident child is easier said than done, which is why I have teamed up with a prep school in Somerset to offer some advice!
Give your child meaningful compliments to help them feel good about themselves but be sure to focus on things that are more significant than surface level accolades. Of course, there is nothing wrong with telling them that their hair looks nice, or their new t-shirt looks great, but you should also try and compliment them on what is on the inside. For instance, you can say things like “I saw the way you were helping your little brother tie his shoelaces today, you are such a kind person” or “Well done for working hard on your homework last night, I’m proud of you for trying your best”.
You should also aim to help your child develop a realistic sense of what they are a capable of. Talk to them about their hopes and dreams and what they can do to achieve them. Set them some age-appropriate tasks to complete around the house and praise them once they’re done. This could be something as simple as making their bed every day or setting the table for dinner. Once they have mastered one task, set them another one that is slightly more challenging; this will increase their proficiency at certain things, like problem solving, show them that you trust them and also give them an idea of what they can do when they set their mind to it.
Use positive terminology around your child to help them develop an optimistic attitude. Even if they’ve done something wrong or something hasn’t gone to plan, avoid being critical, because this will knock their confidence. For example, if they get a bad grade on a test, you can say something like “I know you’re disappointed but I’m so proud of you for trying your best and at least now we know which areas you need to work on for next time”. If they break a vase, you can say “Thank you for owning up to breaking this and for helping me clear up. It was very brave of you to take ownership for your mistake”. Not only will this attitude transpire to your child, it will also show them that you love them no matter what, which will help with their self-esteem.