We all want the best for our children. When they are suffering or struggling, we want so much to pick them up and cradle them in our arms. But, they will have to learn to stand on their own two feet. To ensure that they are prepared to do that, foster their self-esteem so they can have confidence in themselves.

What does a confident child look like? This is a child who is not afraid to reach for their goals. They try new things even if they might fail. When it comes to meeting people, they can feel comfortable talking to others because they know themselves so well. It may sound like we are describing an adult, but we are not. A confident adult was once a child whose self-esteem was nurtured.

So what can you do to give your child a boost of self-pride? You can work towards it in small ways that they may not even notice.

* Be patient – Patience goes a long way to developing excellent character traits. When they make a mistake, encourage them to get up and try again. Applaud them for their efforts and help them to get closer to their goal the next time. This lets your child know that making a mistake does not equal failure in your eyes or theirs.

* Provide positive feedback – Sometimes the first thing out of our mouths is a negative. It’s human nature. When trying to increase a kid’s feeling of self-worth, it is important to keep a tight rein on that tongue. In every situation, find a positive spin to the outcome. For example, if your child is struggling with a school subject, give them a pep talk by highlighting how much they already have learned and that with smaller steps they can master even that subject.

* Listen – One of the best ways to show someone that they are not special or worthy is to ignore them when they speak. Kids are people, only smaller. They have opinions and important things to say. When they see you giving them your undivided attention, they are more likely to do the same for others. Kids shown this type of attention also have a strong sense of their importance in the world.

* Give them respect – Respect means listening when others speak, not raising your voice, and giving another chance when a mistake is made. It also means valuing the opinions and feelings of others. Children that grow up in respectful households are more confident in their abilities.

Speaking positively and showing respect goes a long way to increasing your child’s self-esteem. Self-confidence will take them a long way in life and it all begins at home.