Belonging – It is a basic human need to feel connected, this need is met through relationships with others. There is great value in children feeling that they are connected to parents and caregivers that will protect and guide them.
Uniqueness – We are all unique and different, our role as parents and caregivers is to honor that uniqueness and help children discover who they are.
Power – Children need to feel that they have some influence on the world around them. Parents and caregivers can support children in learning how to make decisions and solve problems independently.
Freedom of Expression – Children who experience the freedom of saying what they think and feel will eventually learn what they need to do to get their needs met. Children should be encouraged to say what they think, openly express their feelings, ask for what they want and need, and ways to communicate effectively.
Tips to Promote Healthy Self-Esteem
Ensure children know you love them unconditionally. The way we see our children, or the way our children believe we see them, has a profound effect on the way they see themselves. Focus on supporting children with a calm and positive presence, even when they are experiencing challenges and big emotions.
Practice positive self-talk with them. We all engage in mind chatter, it is important to focus on sending ourselves positive messages of love and acceptance.
Give them age-appropriate tasks to help you out. Setting and achieving realistic tasks will help them feel useful, responsible, and competent.
Join their play. Research shows that child led play helps our children develop across all domains including cognitive, social, mental, emotional, and physical.