Tips for Supporting Good Self-Esteem

Parents see their intelligent children and teens struggle in comparison to their peers and witness the wear and tear it has on their self-image.

One of the goals parents communicate most to Springer staff during initial conversations is for their children to become more self-confident academically and socially. We all want to see the young people in our lives value and believe in themselves! But how can we help?

Here are a few of the things we do at Springer to help develop confidence. You can try these at home, too!

1. Think about your mindset. Just because we’re not good at something now doesn’t mean it will always be that way. Understand that we can improve by using good strategies, accessing help from others, and working hard. You’ve probably heard the term growth mindset. That’s what this belief is called, and it’s very powerful.
2. Praise your child’s efforts. Neuropsychologist Daryaneh Badaly, PhD says, “Shifting from a fixed mindset to the growth mindset is about trying your best rather than being the best.”
3. Pursue growth by taking time for enjoyable activities and learning new ones too. Low-pressure clubs and activity groups help children find new hobbies and develop their interests, which can feel really good! Activities that take place under the supervision of understanding adults are even better!

In addition to these tips, consider taking advantage of environments with adults that understand learning differences whenever possible. Well-meaning adults in systems that don’t take into account the neurological differences associated with learning disabilities often reinforce negative habits.

As students build their confidence and learn to become self-advocates, they will build independence and be able to navigate difficult environments more confidently, use helpful strategies and seek extra support as needed.

And, while you can’t always control your child’s surroundings, you can do your best to support self-esteem and create a supporting environment in your home.

For more on building confidence in children, check out this article from the Child Mind Institute.