You can fill your tot's plate with vegetables to help her stay healthy, and you can keep her active to help her stay fit, but the path to helping her feel good about herself isn't quite as obvious. Yet just like good food and exercise, self-esteem is crucial to her overall healthy development. In fact, studies have shown that children with high self-esteem do well in school, make friends easily and are less prone to anxiety and depression.
The good news is that you've probably already started to build self-esteem in your child without knowing it. When she was an infant and you met her most basic needs, you showed her that she was loved and important. But your job doesn't end there. A major part of every child's self-esteem comes from the way her parents interact with her and the way she thinks they view her. Try these seven self-esteem builders, and they'll become a natural part of your family's life.
- Spend time with your child every day. Even if it's only 15-20 minutes, spending a little concentrated time with your toddler daily, without interruptions, tells her she's important. Try reading together every night before bed or taking a daily stroll around the block. Just don't answer the phone or involve others: This is time for just the two of you.
