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Build your child's self-esteem.
Two-year-olds are very capable people. They can run, jump, sing, play pretend, and solve complex problems-like how to get to the Halloween candy that Mom put up on the counter. Many also want to do more of their own self-care-like brushing their hair or getting dressed on their own. This makes them feel strong, confident, and smart-key ingredients for later school success.
Your reactions to your child send powerful messages about who he is and what his strengths and abilities are. When you give him lots of hugs and kisses, talk, sing, laugh and dance with him, you let him know he is loved and fun to be with. These kinds of messages are the foundation of self-confidence.
Another everyday way to build your child's sense of confidence and self-esteem is to find ways for your child to help out with family chores. Children this age love to help out with "grown-up" tasks. They feel great pride when they can show you how they feed pets or water plants. Believing they are a valued and contributing member of the family builds children's confidence and self-worth.
What you can do:
Delight in your child's discoveries as he explores. This lets him know he is interesting, important and loved.
Give your child support in trying new things. This tells him you believe he is smart and capable.
Be specific about what tasks you want your child to help with. Please pick up your blocks, instead of, Let's clean up the room. Keep the task fairly small and within your child's skills. Manage your own expectations about how the task is completed. If you ask your child to match socks, expect some mismatches. If you ask your child to put the blocks away, you may still find some "strays." This is developmentally normal and just part of the learning process.
Recognize and be specific about what your child accomplished: You counted out all 4 napkins and put them on the table. Good job. Now we can eat. This emphasizes to your child what an important contribution he is making. Learning to help out will also help him later when he is asked to perform many "jobs" around the classroom.
Help your child make sense of the world.
As your toddler grows, your role as a parent becomes one of "translator" or "explainer" for your child. When you help him understand how the world around him works, you are helping him cope with life's realities. This builds self-confidence.
It's also important that you model self-confidence. Your toddler looks to you to learn how to work through challenges and resolve conflicts. When you believe in yourself, and talk with your child about your own process for overcoming challenges, you provide a powerful example of how to approach the world with confidence and optimism.
for more on this topic visit: ZERO TO THREE National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families
Copyright 2011 ZERO TO THREE: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families
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