Encouraging your Toddlers self esteem

Looking at your little toddler, standing with her fists balled on her hips and her head thrust defiantly in the air, it may be hard to imagine that she is struggling with her own self-image. She seems to be quite sure of herself on the outside, particularly when she wants something. At the same time, however, she may be struggling on the inside as she tries to figure out who she really is.

It is during the toddler years that the seeds of self-worth must be cultivated and allowed to grow. The journey towards self-worth is a path your toddler must take, one developmental step at a time. The journey will go much more smoothly, however, if you are walking alongside her to provide encouragement, support, and patience.

Here are some helpful tips you can use to help your toddler to become a confident, self-assured adult:

• Praise your toddler.
  It is important to let your toddler know that you approve of her efforts. When your toddler has accomplished a task, such as picking up her toys without being instructed to do so, for example, be sure to praise her efforts.

• Give your toddler your undivided attention.
  Establish direct eye contact with your toddler whenever she is speaking to you. Doing this lets your toddler know that you are truly interested in what she has to say and also assures her that she is worthy of your attention.

• Catch your toddler doing something right.
  Far too often, parents will focus solely on catching their toddler in the act of doing something wrong. Instead, try to catch her doing the right thing whenever possible. If you see your toddler sharing a toy at the playground, for instance, let her know how pleased you are with her act of generosity.

• Put your toddler to work.
  Try to give your toddler simple tasks around the house to complete, such as watering plants or putting clothes in the laundry hamper. These chores will help your toddler feel useful and send her sense of self-worth soaring. Be careful not to give her a task that is too difficult for her to handle, however, as the inability to complete the task may harm her self-esteem.

• Ask your toddler questions.
  Asking questions is a great way to let your toddler know that you are paying attention and develop her verbal skills at the same time. If your toddler shows you a new picture that she drew for you, ask her what she used to create it (markers or crayons), or where she got the idea for the picture (her imagination or a story), for example.

• Let her make mistakes.
  Making decisions means making mistakes from time to time. Making mistakes is also a part of the learning process in becoming a good decision maker. Offer your toddler the opportunity to make decision such as selecting the outfit she will wear. However, whenever you give your toddler the opportunity to make a decision, be sure to abide by it, for better or for worse. If it turns out to be the wrong decision, let her know that everyone makes mistakes, and that it is okay to be wrong sometimes.

It is important that parents encourage their children to develop their sense of self-esteem through support and understanding. If you follow these simple suggestions, you will be helping put your toddler on the path toward becoming a confident and self-assured adult.