Helping Your Child Build Healthy Self-Esteem

When children feel good about themselves, they are happy, they cooperate with others, they make friends easily and they are more likely to cooperate with adults and other children.

Factors that influence a child’s positive self-esteem and get them thinking good things about themselves are:

• receiving praise, affection and attention from their parents
• having their achievements recognized
• having clear and consistent limits
• receiving discipline that reinforces those limits

Here are some tips for you to help your child develop healthy self-esteem:

1. Create a safe, predictable environment at home by having routines before and after school and for bedtime.
2. Have clear household rules, and consequences if those rules are broken.
3. Encourage your child to express their ideas and help make decisions.
4. Help your child set goals and recognize their achievements.
5. Encourage laughter.

For more information on the importance of helping your child have a healthy self-esteem, visit https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/self-esteem.html