Helping Your Child Succeed
Help build your child’s independence, self-esteem and self-confidence
- Tell your child all the good things he or she does (ex: “It was really nice of you to play ball with your little brother this afternoon.”) Sincere, positive reinforcement is a powerful tool in shaping positive behaviour.
- Give your child a hug or a smile. It may do wonders for your child’s sense of well-being.
- Compliment your child on his or her appearance and grooming (ex: “Your smile brightens my day.”).
- Surprise your child with notes of love, encouragement and reminders (ex: place a short, loving or funny note in your child’s lunch box to brighten his or her school day).
- Congratulate your child for doing his or her best (ex: “I know you studied hard for that math test and I’m happy for you that you did so well.”).
- Help your child grow in new experiences or skills. Encourage your child to try out for, or join, a school play, a sports team, a club or an activity.
- Include your child in setting rules and expectations, and the consequences of breaking them.
- Talk to your child about words to use in, and ways to handle, difficult situations (ex: “Next time you get into an argument with your sister and you think you’re right, tell her, ‘Let’s agree to disagree.’”).
- Encourage your child to develop and express his or her own opinions.
“The worst possible thing that you [parent] could do is to compare me with other people, especially my siblings, because it hurts when you do that.”~ Middle Years student
