Effective Ways to Help Your Toddler Develop Confidence

The toddler years are fun, boisterous, and adventurous. Children this age are already developing a strong sense of identity and craving for autonomy. Yet, still hesitant to leave their parents’ protective shadows and too vulnerable to lead the way. While some toddlers come bold and confident, most kids at this age of discovery are shy and uncertain. Something that a little push and a lot of faith can change. Here are some creative and effective ways parents can help their toddler develop confidence.

Ask for their opinion

Let them express how they feel or think of certain things. How do you like my dress? Do you think now is a good time to walk the dog? What do you think of your new toy? These open-ended questions will encourage them to think and express themselves. And seeing you valuing their opinion will help elevate their confidence.

Let them lead

As much as you want to control or manage everything in the house, let your toddler take the lead from time to time. Siple activities like setting the table, feeding the pets, or playtime can be assigned to your little ones. Make your toddler feel capable and valuable by participating and enjoying their led activities.

Assure them of your unconditional love

Make sure that your child knows that you will always be there for them no matter what. That bad decisions and mistakes will not change your love for them. That they can count on you to be there, during their winning moments and most especially in challenging times.

Let them face and overcome failure

Do not shield your child at all times. Life happens and it’s not always kind. It is too easy for a parent to catch every fall or avoid every tumble. However, letting your child face disappointments and deal with challenges will strengthen their resolve and boost their confidence.

Practice self-pep talk

Teach your child how to keep a positive outlook and a growth mindset. Practice positive affirmations with your child. Simple phrases like ‘I can do this.’, ‘I am strong.’, and ‘Nothing is impossible,’ could make a huge difference to their confidence, courage, and spirit.

Give them tasks to perform

Assign age-appropriate tasks for them to perform. Just like leadership, doing tasks will give a child a sense of accomplishment and self-worth. Performing ‘adult’ work will also encourage their creativity, improve self-esteem, and help your toddler develop confidence.

Teach them how to set goals

Goal setting is an important aspect of success, as shared by the most successful people. Teaching your child the secrets of a successful life will set them up on that road early. Start with a simple goal – finish cleaning the room before Dad gets home. Let your child work on the details of how they will accomplish it. This will give them a sense of pride in their accomplishments and will also foster responsibility and creativity.

Encourage them to try new things

Support your child’s passion and interests. They are more likely to perform well and love what they do if it is something that they like. Do not impose your idea of a good hobby or activity. Instead, let your child discover what they like and help them excel at it. Being good at one thing, especially something you like is a great confidence booster.

Praise the effort, always

Always commend your child for trying. Highlight the hard work and determination they demonstrated. Not the talent, not the results. Regardless of the results, praise the effort put forward. This will highlight the importance of hard work, positive spirit, and tenacity.

Do not compare them to others

Never compare your child to other children – their siblings, friends, or strangers. If there is one person your child should compete with, it is with themselves. Comparing them to others will subconsciously tell them that something is wrong with them. Instead of comparing, parents should highlight the beauty of individuality, acceptance, and respect for differences.

Let them make decisions

Give them the freedom and the authority to make decisions. Let them choose their outfits, the activity for the day, and even pick a toy from a hundred choices at the store. Making decisions is a great way to boost confidence, help them ponder on their options, and take on the consequences of their choices.

Encourage independence

If your child wants to eat by themselves, let them. Never mind the mess. If they want to dress themselves up, let them. Never mind the wait. Independence is essential to self-sufficiency and self-reliant living. Everyone one of us will eventually need to be self-reliant. It is never too soon to give your angels their freedom wings.

Set aside special time together

Raising a young family can be overwhelming. Too much to do with too little time. However, try to set aside some time alone with your child. It could be an hour at the park, a bath time ritual, or an afternoon nap together. Spending time with your child will strengthen your bond, reassure them of your love, and ultimately help your toddler develop confidence.

Never chastise in public

If you need to chastise, do it in private. Do not shame your child in front of other people. Putting them in an embarrassing situation will significantly stifle any confidence and self-worth they have, something that is hard to get back.

Work on your confidence

Children may not always listen to your words, but they always see what you do. Lead by example. You cannot preach what you do not practice. And with young kids, what they see is what they will follow.

Conclusion

The thrilling, adventurous, and amazing toddler years are also the time your child is developing much of their personality and mindset. They are starting to learn their likes and dislikes. Your baby is now discovering things and facing challenges for the first time. They are now leaving babyhood and transitioning to childhood. It is crucial for parents to be around and attuned to the changes that their children are going through. More than ever, parents’ support, understanding, and unconditional love are needed to sustain this growth spurt and help their toddler develop confidence as they go through adventures and changes.