5 Empowering Parenting Styles to Nurture Your Child’s Inner Confidence

Spread Love

Human beings are born with a desire to be loved. When a child feels certain that they are loved by their parents, their brain shifts from survival mode (a state of defensive alertness) to growth mode.

In this mode, children can confidently explore the world, develop their potential, and take action. A loved and secure child will dare to experiment, learn from their mistakes, and face life’s challenges without fear.

Spread love and affection.

Hugs are not just physical actions but also a profound way of communicating the message, “I’m here, and I love you.” Responding promptly to their needs and giving specific feedback helps children feel recognized and not abandoned.

Some also say that the best way to educate your child is to love your partner. In reality, when spouses love each other, and the family is harmonious, the child will thrive and develop well.

The harmony in the parental relationship creates a stable and safe environment for children. When children witness love and respect between their parents, they learn the value of connection and how to build positive relationships in the future.

Accumulate Small Successes

When a person accomplishes something, their brain releases dopamine, which makes them experience the joy of success. These experiences of success can awaken children’s motivation and confidence.

Children have limited knowledge and skills. Tasks that seem simple to adults can be challenging for them. If a child lacks a sense of success, they may focus too much on their failures and be unable to objectively assess and improve.

Help your child accumulate small successes.

Therefore, parents should break down large tasks into smaller, manageable ones so that children can experience success step by step. Over time, their brain’s reward system will become active, and they will develop motivation and resilience when facing difficulties.

For example, a three-year-old child can only focus for 3 to 5 minutes. If you ask them to put away all their toys at once, suggest they start with their Legos and leave the rest for tomorrow.

By successfully completing small tasks, they will feel proud of themselves, and their brain will naturally release dopamine to encourage them. With improved focus and motivation, they will persist with the next tasks.

Find Their Strengths and Encourage Them

We all have weaknesses and strengths. Try to list 10 strengths of your child, no matter how small. These strengths could be their creativity in play, dedication to learning, or a simple smile they give to their friends. When parents focus on their child’s strengths, they can offer support and encouragement with an accepting attitude.

The child perceives this as warmth, expectation, and a sense of belonging, which contributes to a positive self-image. They will learn to recognize and utilize their strengths, leading to increased confidence in communication and the courage to pursue their dreams and future goals.

Find your child’s strengths and encourage them to shine.

It’s important to carefully distinguish between strengths and weaknesses. What may be seen as a weakness in a child’s behavior could be a sign of perseverance or determination, qualities that are essential for their future success. For example, a child who struggles to adapt may seem inflexible, but from another perspective, they could be seen as meticulous and careful.

This attention to detail can be an asset in fields that require precision, such as science, art, or engineering. By encouraging children to use their strengths and recognize their value, we open doors to tremendous opportunities in the future.

Praise Their Small Achievements

When your child makes progress, no matter how small, offer praise. Your recognition and appreciation will reinforce their positive behaviors.

Praise is a powerful form of encouragement that makes children feel valued and appreciated for their efforts.

For example, if you’re teaching your child to write, and they manage to write straighter or neater than before, or their handwriting looks better than yesterday, affirm their progress by saying, “Your writing today is so much better than yesterday. Such words of encouragement will help them understand that every step forward, no matter how small, is worth celebrating.

Additionally, recognizing their progress builds self-confidence. You can also encourage your child to identify their improvements independently. Ask them, “How do you think you did today?” This helps them develop self-assessment skills and awareness of their progress.

When children recognize their own efforts, they tend to become more confident and proactive in setting future goals.

Offer Choices

Life is made up of big and small choices. Each decision, no matter how simple, can impact the direction and experiences of our lives. We often don’t realize that our daily choices, from what we eat to how we react to situations, shape our lives.

While children cannot control their destiny, they can control their choices. By making wise choices at every turn, they can naturally gain more control over their life path.

Praise their small achievements.

This is especially important for personal development and shaping the values they will carry into adulthood. Every choice is an opportunity to learn and grow, shaping their future in ways they may never expect.

While children may not yet have the maturity to navigate life’s ups and downs independently, parents can encourage them to make choices in their daily lives, such as “What would you like to wear today?” or “For breakfast, would you like soy milk or cow’s milk?”

When children are given choices, they feel respected and take more responsibility for their decisions.