Tips for Toddlers

Return to:

• Babies, Toddlers, Preschoolers
• Parenting Resources
• Families: Nebraska's Future
• Search this Site
• Your Local Extension Office

• Email this Web page

Programs are available throughout Nebraska to help meet the needs of families and children

Children with healthy self-esteem grow into self-confident adults.

Neither parents nor teachers can give self-confidence to a child. It must be developed from within. We can help by giving a blend of acceptance, affection, limits and appropriate expectations.

Here are four tips for you to foster self-esteem in children:

* First, encourage your child. Encouragement is not the same as praise. Praise sometimes emphasizes being better than someone. When praise is misused, a child can feel she only gets approval if she is winning. Encouragement can be given for effort or for slight improvement.

* Second, share your approval if your child takes pleasure in doing something for its own sake.

* Third, promote activities in which your child makes decisions. Give her the opportunity to plan family outings, or entertain friends. Provide a chance for her to run errands or help bake cookies.

Finally, talk to your child. Show interest without prying. Ask "what happened at school today?" rather than "what did you do?" emphasize events, not victory or defeat.

Show your child that you value her. Valuing, opposed to evaluating, helps her understand that worth is not determined by success or failure.