Our children’s confidence is one of the most important state-of-mind or feelings that parents can affect positively with targeted activities. A can-do attitude is uplifting and encouraging for any child, and here are ten targeted activities that parents can employe to skyrocket their child’s confidence. Let’s jump in!
1. Show what the Bible says about children: Your child needs to know that Mom and Dad are not the only ones that love them and are concerned about their will being. God expects children to act according to His Word, so let’s look at a few scriptures concerning children:
| Proverbs 20:11 | Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. |
| Psalm 127:3 | Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. |
| Mark 10:16 | And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. |
| Colossians 3:21 | Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. |
2. Encourage your child’s interests: Support your child by exploring hobbies and activities they’re passionate about. This helps them develop skills and find joy in their achievements. Supporting your child’s hobbies and interests is validation from Mom and Dad and not their peers. It shows that what your child is interested in is important. Now I’m not trying to break the bank, so parents be mindful of your wallets; hobbies can be expensive – SMILE!
3. Provide positive reinforcement: Celebrate their successes, no matter how small. Offer praise for their efforts and accomplishments, fostering a sense of pride and self-worth. One of the best ways is to develop a resume for your child which is tangible evidence, a show & tell evidence, of your child’s gifts and talents. Parents, you have resumes, right? Why not your child? A child’s play world is their work world. For more information on developing a resume for your child visit Resumesforchildren.com.
4. Teach resilience: Help your child understand that failure is a part of learning. Encourage him or her to try again after setbacks and emphasize the importance of perseverance. A failure can be a learning experience of what not to do and/or to try again using a different strategy. For some parents your child has gone through a life-threatening illness which is an example of your child’s resilience. Parents need to literally document how their children show resilience and use this list as a tool to uplift and encourage.
5. Set achievable goals: Help your child set and accomplish small, achievable goals. This will give them a sense of accomplishment and motivate them to tackle larger challenges. Small goals can include completion of a certain book, completing a volunteer assignment, completing a craft assignment. If a child really wants a huge goal, one could be obtaining an Eagle Scout Award or Girl Scout Gold, Silver, or Bronze Award; obtaining these awards takes time which leads to the next confidence booster.
6. Creation of a schedule: Help your child develop a schedule for themselves. Time management shouts loud and clear of your child’s time management skills and is a great item for your child’s resume.
Here’s an example of a daily schedule for a 13-year-old, and keep in mind this can be adjusted:
| 6:30–7:15 AM | Wake up, hygiene, get dressed, breakfast, |
| 7:15–8:00 AM | Travel to school |
| School Hours | School |
| 3:30–4:00 PM | Snack and decompress |
| 4:00–5:00 PM | Homework/Study |
| 5:00–6:00 PM | Sports, outdoor play, or exercise |
| 6:00–6:30 PM | Chores |
| 6:30–7:00 PM | Dinner with family |
| 7:00–8:00 PM | Free time, hobbies, reading, friends, discussing day with Mom and Dad |
| 8:00–8:30 PM | Prepare for the next day (pack backpack, shower) |
| 8:30–9:30 PM | Relax, read, wind down (limit screen time) |
| 9:30 | Go to bed |
7. Model confidence: Show confidence in your own actions and decisions. Children often learn by example, so demonstrating self-assurance can inspire them to emulate that behavior. Ever heard of monkey-see, monkey-do? Your child’s eyes are forever on Mom and Dad – remember that.
8. Celebrate your child on an “off day”: Yes, a day with no significance. Don’t wait for a birthday, a special occasion, or an award day. Just because I love you is reason enough to celebrate him or her. Bring home flowers or a stuffed animal for your daughter, or bring home your son’s favorite thing whatever that may be. Have the celebration at dinner time; bring home ballons. If money is tight write your child a poem, then hang it for all to see. Don’t wait until the last minute to begin planning this celebration; start gathering “the evidence” for the love of your child 😊. If you want invite his best friend and his or her parents. Cook your child’s favorite meal(s).
9. Let your child overhear you speaking well of them: This is a strategic move; you could be walking past them talking on your phone and mention to the listener that your child did something that was outstanding.
10. Classic dressing: Studies show that the way you dress can have a huge impact on confidence. Switch up your child’s closet, with their help of course. Teach your son about Haberdashery – give him some knowledge to go with the new outfits.
A child’s “clothing arsenal” may include:
| Boys | Girls |
| Khakis | Khakis |
| Polos, and Dress Shirts | Blouses |
| Argyle Socks | Scarves (winter and summer) |
| Vests | Dresses |
| Cuff Links | Dress Coat |
| Loafers | Handkerchiefs |
| Cardigan Sweaters | Leather Belts |
| Ties | Cloth Belts (navy and black) |
| Suites | Colorful Purses |
| Dress Coats | Decorative Socks |
| Tuxedo | Skirts |
| Leather and Cloth Belts (navy and black) | Sandals |
| Dinner Jackets | Hats for church, if your child likes hats |
