Self-esteem and self-worth indicate a person's emotional and mental state and often determine their success in life. Children often suffer from a lack of self-esteem because they take the opinions and comments of other children to heart. If self-esteem remains low while growing up, the child will encounter many difficulties in the course of his or her life. If the child manages to improve their lack of self-esteem and believe in themselves, their life will be much easier and more enjoyable.
To promote a child's self-esteem, positive reinforcement from parents and teachers is necessary as often as possible. Instead of reprimanding the child and pointing out their mistakes, they should be praised when they do something well. Constant reprimands and scolding make the child feel worthless and useless and he loses his sense of self-esteem. Praise and positive reinforcement help him to actively work on his mistakes so that he improves himself without focussing on anything bad.
Before an important situation, you should explain to the child what you expect of them. If they do not know what to expect, they are more likely to fail, which will make them feel depressed. By explaining a situation or what is expected of them in advance, you give the child the opportunity to succeed and feel good about themselves. Of course, expectations should not be set too high so as not to put the child under pressure.
It is important to treat the child as an equal. When talking to the child, especially when explaining something that they have not done correctly, the adult should lean down towards the child in order to communicate with them on an equal footing. You should find words that the child understands and can relate to. It is not about giving up the role of educator, but rather about conveying an understanding of the child's feelings.
Things for which the child has little talent should not be forced upon them. Instead, the child's existing talents and preferences should be encouraged and supported. Mistakes should be corrected, but the focus must be on success.
Many people with low self-esteem feel less important than their peers and therefore fail to express their thoughts and feelings. Parents should encourage the child to communicate their wishes and feelings. This can be practised by giving the child a selection of different things to practise choosing and expressing their own preferences.
Parents often fear that their child will become a busybody if they tell them too often how special and important they are. But for children with a lack of self-esteem, this is crucial. Children blossom when their parents take them seriously. Building self-esteem also involves parents openly admitting their own mistakes to the child and apologising to the child if necessary. Parents must set a good example for the child and correct their own mistakes. If they are depressed or sad, they should openly seek the help of others, including the child, to demonstrate that it is not a bad thing to ask others for help.
If the child shows no improvement and is unable to build up their self-esteem, they should be taken to a child psychologist. Professional psychologists help the child to express their feelings and increase their self-esteem and self-worth.
