Encouraging children to be confident and assertive

Encouraging Children to Be Confident and Assertive

It is important to help encourage our children to be confident and assertive. Confidence and assertiveness are important life skills that will help children grow into successful adults.

What is Confidence?

Confidence is having faith in yourself and your own abilities. It is when your child feels capable to take on life’s challenges and express their thoughts and feelings.

What is Assertiveness?

Assertiveness is when your child is able to respectfully express their wants and needs. They are confident and secure enough in their own identity to push for positive outcomes and solutions.

Ways to Encourage Confidence and Assertiveness

• Help your child believe in themselves – Show your child they are capable, validate their feelings, and tell them they have something valuable to contribute
• Praise Progress – When your child conquers a challenge, regardless of the outcome, recognize and celebrate that achievement
• Teach Problem Solving – Show your child how to look at the facts in order to create solutions and to make thoughtful decisions
• Modeling – Demonstrate assertiveness when you take an active role in problem-solving, express your wants and needs with clarity, respect, and self-confidence

Encouraging children to be confident and assertive is a valuable way to help them develop the necessary skills for the future. It will allow them to identify solutions, contribute to conversations, and take charge of their own lives.