Here Are 22 Simple Ways to Build Your Child’s Confidence and Increase Their Social Skills

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Tips to Build Confidence and Increase Social Skills in Children

1. Say I love you every day.

It is important for kids to know they are loved, and valued by their parents. They need to know they matter to the people who brought them into this world. Research also shows the benefit of loving words from parents on a child’s self-esteem and confidence.

2. Care about your child’s creativity/talents.

For example, you might say “You drew that, it’s amazing!” or “Wow, you have rhythm. I can tell by how you are tapping on the table. Would you like to try an instrument?”

3. Be interested in what your child is doing.

Examples of what you can ask to take an interest: What game are you playing? Can you show me how to do that? Do you want to do that together?

4. Give your child independence & freedom appropriate to their age/level.

For example: “Yes, you can put your shoes on by yourself.” “Go ahead to the swings honey, I am watching you from here.”

5. Make your child’s safety and healthcare a top priority.

Examples: teach them how to put their seatbelt on; take them for their medical and dental exams, etc.

Related Content: Story to Prepare Children for Doctor’s Appointments

6. Spend quality time with your child.

Examples: play a game, eat a meal, go for a walk, cook or bake.

7. Create traditions to build memories.

Example: Every Thanksgiving we talk about what we are thankful for while we drink hot chocolate and eat pie as a family.

8. Let your child know when he/she makes you proud.

Examples: “You put so much effort into remembering your lines for the school play. I hope you feel proud of yourself. I know that I am very proud of you.” Research supports the use of parental praise in creating optimal child outcomes.

9. Teach your child how to share.

“Yes, it is yours, but when we share, others share with us, and we build relationships. Let’s practice what it is like to share our things. “

See a sample video on helping children share below. How can this activity be modified to fit your situation?

10. Tell your child about you.

Let them get to know your interests, your memories, your dreams,etc.

11. Give and teach your child empathy.

Examples: “I know you are sad because your friend’s party is cancelled. Your friend is also probably sad that her party got cancelled. “Maybe we can offer to take her to lunch, since she didn’t have her party.”

Related Content: Theatre Teacher Shares Three Techniques to Increase Empathy in Students

12. Let your child explore their environment, fall down, make mistakes, and get back up.

13. Get to know your child.

If they don’t naturally let you in, make an effort and ask about them (e.g., what do they like to do, how to they handle stress, who do they talk to to work through problems, what are their personal goals, etc.)

You May Like: 5 Anger Management Tips for Kids

14. Let your child make choices when possible.

Examples: “Do you want the green shirt or red shirt? Would you like to have a snack before or during your homework?”

15. Feed your child healthy food.

No one is perfect, try your best. Online grocery stores like Amazon Fresh or Instacart can ship healthy options right to your door. Let your child make choices with you!

16. Give your child time to relax and do what they love.

We all need time to decompress and get to know ourselves.

17. Encourage your child to exercise.

Fitness is great for self-esteem, confidence, etc. Short Youtube videos can make exercise quick and fun.

Look for your (your child’s) area of interest (e.g., martial arts, yoga, jumping, dancing) and break it up into manageable blocks of time (five minutes here, three minutes there, etc.)

Related Artice: Four Benefits of Physical Development on Child Development

18. If you can, exercise with your child.

Making a goal to exercise with your child creates a bond, holds you accountable for your own exercise, and lets you and your child work together as a team.

19. Focus on and notice the positives in your child.

Examples: “You are so good with our pets, they are lucky to have you.” “That was great how you kept working on that until you fixed it, that took a lot of persistence.”

Once someone told me I was a diligent worker when I worked as a residential counselor for adults with developmental disabilities.

I always thought about that, and how I wanted to remain diligent because it lined up with my values about work ethic. I wanted to be a productive member of society who gives back and makes a positive difference. So when I was told I was diligent with my work if stuck.

20. Listen without judgment.

Examples: “I understand that you feel very angry because of what happened at the dance. I am here to listen, talk through it with you or whatever you may need to process this.”

21. Never take your child for granted.

Your child is a gift, life is fragile, and they deserve to have a great life where they feel like they matter and are loved.

They should never feel like you would be fine or better off without them, or that they are unwanted or don’t belong. Your actions show them how much they mean to you. If they are ever unsure, reassure them with your words.

22. Set up reasonable boundaries and expectations.

You want your child to become self-sufficient as they transition to adulthood. You want to make sure you are not enabling them by doing too much for them.

It will be crucial for them to develop the necessary skills of self-care, productivity, and respect for others.

There will be some things that they will want to do, but won’t be able to. And of course, there will be some things they will have to do, but won’t want to. Be reasonable but stay consistent.

Developing their self-esteem, social skills, boundaries, respect, self-care, work ethic, etc. now, will assist with a successful shift to adulthood, where you as a parent can be a supportive friend, guide, and older adult role model.

Developing self-esteem and a healthy sense of self-adequacy as a child, can prevent problematic behaviors that many adults experience such as: low motivation, little belief in oneself, and little belief or even awareness of one’s own skills and value.

I would love to hear from you! Can you share some tips that you have found helpful to build a child’s confidence or self-esteem?

Education and Behavior– Keeping Adults on the Same Page for Children

Some adjustments were made to this content, so the video is different. Revisions are underway.

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