Whether it’s shyness, self-consciousness, or some other struggle, you hate to see your child lack confidence. Some children grow into their confidence on their own. Others need a little extra help. If your preschooler could use a confidence boost, we have a few tips that can help. Just like adult confidence, preschooler confidence doesn’t happen overnight. Still, with patience and some gentle persistence, you can boost your child’s sense of self-worth and instill the strength they need to own their accomplishments.
Mistakes Are Okay
Confidence starts at home. That’s why it’s up to you to create an environment where mistakes are okay. Some preschoolers lack confidence because they’re afraid of getting something wrong. They want to get everything right on the first try. When they can’t accomplish that, they may give up altogether. Firstborns and other perfectionists are especially prone to this type of thinking. If you have any perfectionist tendencies yourself, now is a great time to work on letting them go. Set an example by owning up to your own mistakes. When you lead, your children will follow.
Praise Progress, Not Perfection
On a similar note, you can increase a preschooler’s confidence by praising their progress. Finished projects are great. After all, they represent a lot of hard work. However, you should also praise the progress and the work itself. Some children won’t let you see their work until they’ve finished it. That’s fine, but you can encourage progress by doing some projects together. You could build a Lego project, for instance, and periodically point out how nice it is to make progress. If the project doesn’t turn out perfectly, no problem! This enhances your preschooler’s confidence.
Highlight Their Skills
Of course, you can also increase a preschooler’s confidence by pointing out their skills. Has your child gotten good at painting? Do they run really fast? Know their colors really well? Then tell them. When you praise your child’s skills, they’ll feel more confident using those skills in different settings.
Avoid Comparisons
Theodore Roosevelt said that “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Well, it’s also the thief of preschool confidence. Avoid comparing your child to siblings, cousins, friends, or other children. Children who hear themselves compared to other people can feel like something is wrong with them. Young children don’t think subjectively just yet. They see a lot of things in black and white. When an adult says something like “Joey knew how to tie his shoes at your age,” they don’t think “People learn things at different ages.” Instead, they hear “It’s bad that I don’t know how to tie my shoes.” While you’re avoiding comparisons, go ahead and reinforce the fact that differences are good. They’ll carry that thought with them to adulthood.
Step Away for a Moment
When it comes to new skills and social situations, sometimes it’s best to let your child learn in a preschool environment. When they’re with their families, young children can see themselves as part of a unit, not as an individual. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. It helps them develop a sense of closeness and safety. As a matter of fact, this safety helps their confidence, too. However, preschool gives children a chance to explore who they are apart from their families. They discover talents that they didn’t realize they had. They take on different social roles that they may not have explored before. As a result, they’ll discover new things and develop their confidence.
Preschooler Confidence at Legacy Academy
Of course, you wouldn’t put your child in just any preschool. You need a preschool that has a reputation for excellence. That preschool is Legacy Academy. At Legacy Academy, we emphasize what makes each child unique. Our preschoolers grow their confidence every day. Want to learn more about the Legacy difference? Contact us today. We’d love to have you get in touch.
