Child self-esteem: the importance of promoting it at home

Little girl laughing with her mother

Most families know or have ever heard that children's self-esteem is an incredibly important aspect of children's development. But not all parents know how to promote it and some of them tend to neglect it and not give it greater importance. A healthy self-esteem helps children to grow up confident, autonomous, independent and without fear of making mistakes or failure while they are learning and acquiring new knowledge.

On the contrary, a low self-esteem would lead to many insecurities, fears and even rejection from children. They may not enjoy their days at school for fear of being wrong, for fear that their classmates will laugh at them, and those situations would generate stress, anxiety, overwhelm, a poor self-concept and even childhood depression. For this reason, as I said before, self-esteem is a key aspect in the integral development of children and young people.

Today we will focus on how to promote it at home, but it should be noted that in classrooms it is also very important that students feel valued, heard and understood by their teachers. In this way, we will ensure that they have a healthy, balanced and adequate self-esteem. Without further delay, here are five phrases that can help your children have a positive attitude with themselves and with others every day.

«I love you»

Yes, it is an incredibly easy thing to say, but not all parents tell their children on a daily basis. With a simple "I love you" and a hug, children will feel safe, loved, and supported by their family. This is very important so that they go to school happy, encouraged and content.

«Nothing happens because you are wrong. You are learning"

As I said before, many children tend to be afraid of failing, making mistakes and making mistakes, especially in educational centers. It is essential that parents talk with their children, reassure them and tell them that absolutely nothing happens because they do not do everything right the first time because they are learning. On many occasions, there are children who feel inferior to others because they see that they are not as fast as others. In this regard, it is very important that the family and the school work together as a team so that they can explain to the children that each one has their own learning pace. And that one is not more or less intelligent by how quickly or slowly things are done.

Little girl with her father

"I believe in you. You can do it"

Promoting the autonomy and independence of children is something that parents have to take into account. It is essential that families propose activities that their children can do alone (adapting them to each age, of course). In this way, children will feel useful and will love the idea of ​​wanting to help their parents. It is very important that families are very clear that children can make mistakes in this regard and that they do not do it well either the first or the second time. So, Words of support are essential to keep you trying and not giving up.

«No one is better than you and you are not better than anyone»

This phrase seems fundamental to me to also promote empathy and education in values. On top of that, parents would be taking children away from excessively high self-esteem. This concept is just as serious as that of low self-esteem, since there could be situations in which children reject their peers, feel superior to them and even discriminate against them. In this way, families would also be preventing their children from developing a high, inadequate and unhealthy competitiveness in the classroom and in life that could harm others.

You will do better next time. You have my support »

We got to the dreaded exams and grades. Many children are disappointed when they fail a test and tend to adopt a negative and self-defeating attitude that can generate anxiety, stress and even childhood depression. Again, in this section it is essential that families and schools work together to make children see that nothing happens to fail an exam and above all explain what to learn, in many cases it does not mean to approve. In this way, instead of scolding the children for a bad grade, it would be better for the parents to show their support for the children and transmit calm and serenity.

Companions hugging


Surely, there are many more phrases to promote the self-esteem of children and young people. I would love to know which ones you use so that your children have a positive attitude with themselves, with others and with their environment! Shall we talk in the comments?