Praise and Encouragement
Building Healthy Self-Esteem
Building a child's self-esteem is an important task for parents. A healthy self-esteem in childhood leads to a child's happiness, positive behaviors, and an emotionally healthy adulthood. Self-esteem is not simply a gift parents bestow on a child, but the result of a child's ability to be self-sufficient, to be a responsible member of the family, to assume responsibility for his or her own happiness.
Ways to help children develop self-esteem:
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Emphasize the good children do. Reward them with praise, recognition, or privileges for a job well done.
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Notice a child's special qualities; give children positive feedback to increase a sense of worth and confidence. Let your child overhear you expressing your confidence and good feelings about him.
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Set well-defined limits for behavior and enforce them. Allow some leeway for children within the limits.
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Help your children to set reasonable goals so they can achieve success. Support their learning process. Have reasonable expectations for your children.
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Teach your child to show respect for others. Demonstrate your respect for people of other races, ethnic groups, educational and socioeconomic levels.
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Give your children responsibilities so they will feel useful and valued, and will learn to help others.
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Feel good about yourself as a parent. Take good care of your marriage, or if you are a single parent, yourself. Be a good role model. Admit you make mistakes and show how you learn from them.
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Share favorite activities. Spend time together.
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Support your children, especially when they need it. Comfort them, encourage them, and provide a listening ear.
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Go to their games, parent's day at school, activities, and award ceremonies. Talk with them about their interests and activities. Celebrate your child's accomplishments.
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Discuss problems without placing blame. Children are more likely to share the problem and seek a solution if they don't feel attacked.
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Use "please" and "thank you" to build esteem. Hug them. Tell them they are terrific. Show how much you care about them. Above all, LOVE THEM!
Words that Encourage
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You're doing a great job!
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You're really working hard today!
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Now you've figured it out!
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That's the way!
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Great! Fantastic! Terrific!
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That's better!
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That's the best you've ever done!
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Good for you!
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Good thinking!
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Way to go!
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Keep on trying!
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I'm so proud of you!
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That's the right way to do it!
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You remembered!
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You're really improving!
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Outstanding!
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I like that!
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Now that's what I call a fine job!
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You did that very well!
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One more time and you'll have it!
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This is really great!
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You really make my job fun!
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Everybody makes mistakes sometimes!
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I like the way that you are listening!
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Thank you so much!
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What a great idea!
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Now you try it.
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You can do it!
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I really appreciate your help!
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I know that is very hard!
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I understand how you must feel!
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What a nice smile you have!
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I could listen to you read (sing) all day!
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Your kindness is so refreshing!
