Cherish Your Child’s Individuality

Building children’s self-confidence and sense of self-worth are critical to their future development. Contribute to your children’s self-image by enjoying them just the way they are, not as they could be. Praise and nurture their unique strengths and personality. Self-esteem influences all aspects of our lives.

Parenting tips

Spend quality time alone with each of your children every day.
Avoid showing disappointment if your child doesn’t enjoy the same things you do.
Praise your children’s differences.
Treat each child as an individual with his or her own strengths, needs, and unique characteristics.
Avoid comparing children, or asking them why they can’t be like someone else.
Support your child’s interests and hobbies.

Activities

Encourage your children to compete against themselves by seeking to improve their skills.
Find an area in which each of your children can excel and encourage them to pursue it.
Have respectful family rules (for example, no borrowing without asking).
Let children take turns picking the family activity or dinner.
Let each child make suggestions for your special time alone.
Plan special family celebrations or events to recognize each child’s accomplishments.
Hang signs and balloons to praise your children’s different abilities.
Give each child a turn picking the nighttime story or the music played in the house.
Give your children responsibilities in your family that reflect their strengths.