How to Build Children's Confidence

It is important that children develop a positive image of their own. A positive image means that they are self confident; they know their own limits and trust their own abilities. People who have a positive image enjoy their lives and can handle themselves in tough situations. So, it is the same situation for children; in order to build self-confidence, parents need to show confidence in their children. This feeling is not congenital.

Accept children for who they are.

Children learn a lot more by trying for themselves though it will take longer and probably be more messy. Patience and confidence can do a lot. Give children the time and space to try something new and learn from their mistakes. Provide them with help, if they need it. Be proud of them, whether or not they succeed. Children with self-confidence are not frightened by new experiences or learning situations.

Allowing children to complete puzzles or projects on their own (you will help if they ask) will build their confidence.

Act as a role model. Children learn the most from your behavior. Children invariably imitate adult behavior, good and bad. They want to be adults themselves. If they see you cussing, they will cuss. If they see you praying, they will pray. If they see you helping others, they will try to help. Abused children are at an increased risk to become child abusers in the future.

Building confidence in children will help them achieve success as adults.

How to Be Patient When Doing Homework with Your Young Child

- Decide what you want, and what you need to do. Do you want your child to get good grades? Do you want him to understand the material well? Write out your goals on an index card.

- Determine your child's learning style. Many children don't process visual information well, but are quick to learn if the material is spoken out loud.

- Decide before you start how much time you're going to devote to helping with homework. Set an egg timer so that you don't have to worry about running over.

- When you sit down to help your child with an assignment, look over it first.

- Let your child do as much as he can. This is the hardest step. The assignment looks so easy to you, you want to jump in and tell him how to do it.

- Resist the temptation to tell him the answer when he's stuck. Instead, ask leading questions.

- At the end of the assignment (or your allotted time, whichever comes first) find something you can praise your child about.

- Maybe he finished it in less time than you expected, or got most of the answers on the first try. Complimenting not only will make him feel good, it will make you feel like your time was well spent.

How to Raise a Child Who Loves to Read

Teaching your child to read starts in the womb. Let the fetus listen to Western Classical music by placing headphones against your tummy - Classical Symphonies have a highly beneficial effect on the forming mind.

Purchase or borrow other media. Reading sources such as magazines, newspapers, etc., are another way to interest your child in reading.

Give books as presents. Books are ideal gifts for birthdays, holidays, Christmas, traveling, as rewards, etc.

Teach your child to respect and love books. If you can teach children to see books as their lifelong friends, they'll have innate respect for them.

Spend time in the library together as a regular outing. Let your child choose favorite books to read and borrow, and encourage your child to explore the library and enjoy all of the activities it offers.

Teach your child about famous writers, actors and characters who are in books, or who write classic books.

Read often and your child will mimic you.

Pay attention to your child's changing interests. As your child gets older, pay attention to subjects that interest your tween or teen.

Maintain a regime for reading but be spontaneous. If your child wants to read at night before bed, let them read for a time limit and then lights out.

How to Develop Social Skills in Children

·         Demonstrate social skills to babies. Babies enjoy social interaction as demonstrated by their smiles.

·         Help toddlers to respect people and their property. In the toddler stage, children have access to some words and basic sentences

·         Assist pre-schoolers to expand their circle of friends. Pre-schoolers can express their feelings in words and should be encouraged to make friends with other children.

·         Develop social skills in school-aged children. When children attend school, they have a built-in environment that exposes them to opportunities to interact with others, to share toys and to communicate with others about their feelings and needs.

·         Encourage her to be helpful; let her help sort the washing or clear the table. Children who see themselves within a culture that cares about other people are more likely to have better social skills.

·         Set a good example. Parents should be polite, respectful and caring to each other if they want their children to act in this way.

·         Show affection to your children -- even if you find this difficult. Children who are more open and affectionate are more likely to have friends.

·         Value her social skills. When she is thoughtful or polite tell her how proud you are of her. Expect and value mutual respect and caring.

Easy Ways to Be a Fantastic Parent

• Take charge. Children crave limits, which help them understand and manage an often confusing world.  

• Don't clip your child's wings. Your toddler's mission in life is to gain independence.

• Don't try to fix everything. Give young kids a chance to find their own solutions. 

• When you lovingly acknowledge a child's minor frustrations without immediately rushing in to save her, you teach her self-reliance and resilience.

• Remember that discipline is not punishment. Enforcing limits is really about teaching kids how to behave in the world and helping them to become competent, caring, and in control.

• Pick your battles. Kids can't absorb too many rules without turning off completely. 

• Forget arguing about little stuff like fashion choices and occasional potty language. 

• Focus on the things that really matter -- that means no hitting, rude talk, or lying.

• Play with your children. Let them choose the activity, and don't worry about rules.

•  Just go with the flow and have fun. That's the name of the game.

• Read books together every day.

• Schedule daily special time.

• Encourage daddy time.

• Make warm memories.