posted on 20220922 3:29 PM / updated on 20220922 3:31 PM
(Source: Disclosure/Unsplash)
Researchers from the University of Calgary, Canada, sounded the alarm among parents after analyzing 29 studies involving children and adolescents from different countries. The bottom line is that one in four suffers from depression and one in five struggles with anxiety. The survey was published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. One of the reasons that led to this situation is this public’s relationship to selfesteem.
Developing selflove is important as it influences decisions at all stages of life that are directly related to confidence and selfworth. “Children are born with selfesteem and have their first moment and opportunity to form a positive image of themselves during their first seven years,” affirms Aline De Rosa, inclusive child development specialist.
Boys and girls reflect the environment they live in and for Aline, the upbringing they receive from parents and caregivers, the routine and the way adults communicate with little ones all have a direct impact on building selfesteem . “All these factors will be responsible for strengthening and maintaining this selflove or, on the contrary, even intervening in the adult phase,” he explains.
An effective way to boost children’s selfesteem is to allow them to do something in their free time, such as B. Dressing herself, putting on her shoes, or filling a glass of water. “The feeling of contentment makes the little ones feel useful and turns them into adults who recognize their worth and are aware of their being,” adds Aline.
The role of parents is fundamental in building and maintaining their children’s selfesteem. They are the examples of humanity that these children have access to. “The way adults treat themselves and others, how they position themselves towards little ones, and how they deal with their own mistakes and problems also influences the construction of children’s selfesteem and the way each of them deals with it environment in which they live,” emphasizes the expert.
As a specialist in inclusive child development, Aline De Rosa underscores the importance of parents’ role in building and maintaining their children’s selfesteem (Photo: Personal Archive)
Aline De Rosa shares ways to develop selfesteem in children
Allow the child to exercise autonomy: In childhood, the urge to discover is enormous. As long as the child is in a safe environment, create conditions and opportunities for them to do what they should be trained to do, such as: B. bathe, help yourself, put away toys or fold pajamas
Include them in household chores: When a child feels useful and participates in the daily life of their home, they develop character, personality and full selfesteem.
Avoid tagging your child: Labeling children is a way of locking them into something they are not, especially when they are being reinforced by their parents, thereby weakening their natural selfesteem drive. Therefore, it is recommended to refrain from using such words as “boring”, “difficult”, “tantrum”, “clumsy”, “nervous”, “crybaby” and other terms used in communication with the little ones.
Give the time time: A child is exercising whenever they try to do something for themselves, e.g. B. putting on his shoes or tying his sneakers. When the adult interferes every time she does this activity, it forces her to always ask for help and not try. The feeling of contentment is important to make the child feel useful
Understand that errors are temporary: For children, mistakes are learning and it is important for adults to recognize them and focus on suggesting actions to solve problems.