How to Instill Confidence in Your Toddler?

As your baby arrives at the toddler stage, he or she will be starting to develop self-awareness in terms of what they look like and are able to do. A baby's first birthday often coincides with this phase and your child at this stage will be beginning to develop an opinion about himself, which will largely be based on how others appear to act towards him or her. So you can see the importance of ensuring that right from the outset, it's essential to instill self-confidence in your toddler. Otherwise it could take years of therapy in adult life to correct the mistakes that were made early on.

Here are some ways discussed by Helene Goldnadel to give your child confidence:

• Praise your child as much as possible even when they accomplish something that seems simple or small. Heap affection and kind words on your toddler so that they really begin to build a sense of self-worth that will give them the encouragement to try new things that all contribute to their development.

• Be extremely affectionate to your child at all times, so that he or she knows that they are loved unconditionally. Even though they don't yet understand the words, tell your baby that you love him or her and shower them with hugs and kisses. A loved baby often equals a confident baby. 

• Offer basic choices to your toddler, so that they know that you value their opinion. For instance when dressing your child, hold out two different colors of socks and let your baby choose which to wear. Even though it will take quite a while before they realize that they're being offered a choice, they'll get there in the end and once they do realize that their opinion is valued and they get a 'voice', this will instill confidence in them.

• Even before your toddler has developed language skills, you can show your baby that you are listening to what he or she has to say. This will make them feel confident as it shows that you think what they have to say is interesting and important.

• As parents you should chat to your toddler as much as possible, so that your child knows that you find them a good conversationalist and that you enjoy their company. Try to include your child in your activities as much as possible. For instance, if you have some washing up to do, fill a saucepan with soapy suds and let your child play with it and think that they're helping. Giving children important 'grown-up' jobs to do, gives them confidence to act like adults.

• Try to let your child socialize as much as possible, both with adults and children of a similar age. If you want your child to feel confident, then they have to feel comfortable in the company of others, so the best way to do this is to make interaction with people outside of your immediate family seem very normal.

• It is undoubtedly important to say a firm 'no' to your child, whether you're trying to teach them social skills or keep them out of danger. However, unless it's necessary to scold your toddler, try to avoid talking to him or her in a negative tone of voice, as until they're familiar with the words that you're using, all they will hear is the sound of anger or sarcasm, neither of which are pleasant to hear.

• It is important that in a relationship where you have a child, that you save time for each other as well as your little one. However, where possible, try and save your 'couple time' for periods where your toddler is sleeping. Your child needs to feel like he or she is a welcome part of the family, so when your toddler is awake try and make time to sit down as a family unit and chat together. Even though your toddler won't understand the discussions that are taking place, this will help to make them feel that they're an integral part of the family.

• Never argue in front of your baby. Even without the knowledge of the words that you're using, children are amazing at picking up on negative vibes and tension. Unfortunately they won't know what is wrong, so will feel very insecure and anxious rather than relaxed and confident.

Try introducing these confidence tips by Helene Goldnadel into your relationship with your toddler straightaway. The more you can apply in your daily routine, the better.