Confidence is important for children in many ways— it helps them succeed academically, physically, and socially. When children feel confident, they are more likely to take risks, try new things, and persevere when faced with challenges. However, learning to be confident can be a long and arduous process, and one thwart with obstacles and setbacks that can come from countless sources, such as negative criticism, overt perfectionism, and lack of communication. It is thus of utmost importance that parents help raise their child’s confidence by championing them at home, to nurture both self-belief and self-esteem in their kids.
Why Every Child Needs a Champion
Without support and encouragement, children who do not believe in themselves are not inclined to try and achieve what they potentially can. Each child deserves a parent or caregiver to champion them in all they do, providing love, support, and encouragement while also teaching them skills, setting limits, and maintaining expectations. Having someone who they know will never give up on them and continually raise them up no matter what happens empowers children with the confidence they need, such that they can work towards being the best versions of themselves with no inhibitions whatsoever.
Championing your child does not mean that you allow them to do whatever they want, or that you never correct them when they make mistakes. It simply means that you provide a safe and supportive environment in which they can grow and learn without fear of failure or setbacks. It means instilling in them a belief that they are capable and competent human beings who are worthy of love and respect no matter the outcomes of their pursuits. A champion helps a child feel good about themselves while also challenging them to reach their full potential in everything they do.
How to Champion Your Child and Raise Their Confidence
There are many ways to champion your child and help raise their confidence. Here are a few parents can practise for a start:
Encourage Them Constantly
Encouragement is crucial for children who are learning to be confident. Whenever your child does something well, big or small, be sure to let them know how proud you are of them. Even simple things such as completing their homework or solving a problem they experienced at home should be met with positive reinforcement. This will not only boost their confidence but also motivate them to keep doing their best.
Be Their Biggest Cheerleader
No one will believe in your child as much as you do, so it’s important that you be their number one fan. This means cheering them on through both the good and bad times. When they succeed, celebrate with them, and when they fail, help them pick themselves back up and try again.
Teach Them to Be Resilient
An important part of developing confidence is learning how to deal with setbacks and failures. As such, it’s important that you teach your child how to be resilient in the face of adversity. Help them see failure as an opportunity to learn and grow, and encourage them to keep moving forward even when things are tough.
Encourage Them to Take Risks
In order for children to raise their confidence fundamentally, they need to feel like they can take risks without fear of judgement or failure. So, instead of discouraging your child from taking risks where appropriate, encourage them to step out of their comfort zone and try new things. This will help them build up confidence as they learn that they can handle anything that comes their way.
Help Them Set Realistic Goals
If you want your child to develop a healthy sense of confidence, it’s important that you help them set realistic goals. This means setting goals that are attainable and teaching them how to break down big goals into smaller, more manageable steps. Doing this will help your child feel confident in their ability to achieve their goals, no matter how ambitious they are, and raises them up with the expectations you have of them due to your belief in their capabilities. Be sure to also celebrate the smaller milestones along the way and check in on what they’ve learnt throughout the process.
Connect with Them Emotionally
All the above tips on how to develop confidence in your child comes with the prerequisite that you connect with them emotionally. For your child to freely learn to be condiment, they need to know that you love and accept them unconditionally. So, make sure to also spend quality time with your child and really connect with them on an emotional level. This will help them feel loved and secure, two vital ingredients for raising confidence.
Let Your Child Learn to be Confident with MindChamps Académie of Stars
Of course, championing your child must also be paired with granting them the opportunity to independently raise their self-confidence outside of home and school. Public speaking classes for kids are an exceptionally efficient way to do this — our Champions Communication programme, for example, is specially designed to imbue confidence in children.
At MindChamps Académie of Stars, we believe in not only developing children in the art of performing, but also raising their confidence to celebrate their unique selves. We also nurture in all our students a Champion Mindset that empowers them to overcome whatever challenges come their way throughout the course of their lives.
As the premier performing arts school in Singapore, we practice 100% Respect and Zero Fear™ in all our programmes. Check out our downloadable brochure, or submit an enquiry form to enrol your child with us today!