Building toddler self esteem

Building toddler self esteem

Parents have a huge effect on how children grow up feeling about themselves.

By the YeahBaby.com editorial staff

All parents want their children to feel good about themselves. After all, children with high self-esteem perform better in school and grow to have more confidence in life. Parents can help build a toddler's self-esteem by doing the following:

• Compliment your child's character. Tell them you think he or she is a great kid.
• Show your child affection with hugs, kisses and general encouragement.
• Spend quality time with your toddler each day without interruptions.
• Give your tot at least 5 compliments every day.

But when a child does something wrong, how should the issue be dealt with, with regards to their self-esteem?

• Substitute "no's" with helpful language. For example, "I don't like it when you do that" is better than constant "no-ing."
• Make sure positive behavior is rewarded more often than negative behavior is punished.

Most importantly, giving children support and love will provide them with the confidence they need to grow up feeling good about themselves.

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