3 TOP TIPS TO RAISE A CONFIDENT CHILD
By Sally Forrest
Managing Director, SoulKids, www.soulkids.org
21st May 2018
One of the most attractive qualities a person can have is self-confidence.
It starts young and it is a skill worth learning.
One of the core principles of SoulKids is that confidence is a teachable and learnable skill.
Here are 3 top tips that you can start with for your child (and of course for yourself):
1) CULTIVATE POSITIVE THINKING
At any moment, we have a choice. We can see the good in a situation, or we can see the bad. No matter what the situation, develop the habit of thinking “What positives can I find in this situation?”
For example, if your child brings home their grade card and 4 subjects are above average and 2 are below average, do not over-react and start to focus on the negatives.
Instead treat each moment as a learning opportunity.
Ask your child what went well, and how they feel about those subjects. Also ask your child what did not go well and why that was. Ask your child for their action steps to make improvements going forwards.
You can also encourage the child to take accountability for their own success. This way the conversation is positive and productive and you do not react to the disappointment of a few low grades.
2) VISUALIZE POSITIVE OUTCOMES
At SoulKids we believe that Visualization is a powerful tool to use.
Encourage your child to learn the art of visualizing positive outcomes in all aspects of their life.
Visualize doing well in school exams.
Visualize winning at sports.
Visualize having a healthy body.
Visualize having great friends.
Once the mind visualizes a positive outcome, the body responds, your child will begin to feel more confident and will take more positive actions, which naturally will have better results than taking action half-heartedly.
The child will develop confidence in this technique with practice. The more you practice doing positive visualizations, the easier it becomes.
3) CREATE A NETWORK OF SUPPORTIVE FRIENDS
At SoulKids we coach children on the truth that ‘You become who you surround yourself with’ and this is very important to understand if you want to have a positive life and future.
Who your child mixes with, will play a large role in their life.
If your child mixes with friends who encourage and support them, then they will become more confident and grounded in life.
If your child gets in with the wrong crowd and starts to do things to please others, then they are in effect moving away from their own personality and confidence.
It is important to explain to a child early the importance of relationships and what to nurture in them. Encourage positive friends and discuss with your child how these relationships will indeed support them going forwards in life.
These are 3 simple SoulKids tips that are easy to implement and that will make a positive difference in the lives of your children.
Your child learns best from experience, so become a role model in these aspects and your child will learn from your actions.
Sally Forrest is the founder of SoulKids.
If you would like your child to benefit from a SoulKids program, a personal coaching or by reading the SoulKids books, then please do connect on www.soulkids.org
The next SoulKids Self-Confidence program is coming up on 11 / 12 / 13 June. An ideal moment for your child to grow self-confidence and have fun during the school holidays at the same time.
For registration, click here.
One on One coaching sessions can be booked at your convenience by contacting the SoulKids Manager, Vidhya on soulkids@soulcentre.org.
