How to Build Self-Worth and Values in Children
Self-worth is the awareness of one’s value. Our values are the essential beliefs that pilot, or trigger, human attitudes or reactions. They assist us in determining what is relevant to us. These values represent the personal qualities we choose to guide our actions, the kind of people we aspire to be, how we evaluate ourselves and those around us, and more importantly, our relationship with the world around us. Our values ensure that we stick to the ethics that guide our actions wherever we are.
Some values are never compromised, no matter the passage of time; they are rightful behaviors. Truthfulness, empathy, and kindness are three such examples. It is hard to have a thriving and satisfying relationship without them because they build trust in relationships.
One of the essential foundations for a kid’s happiness and success in life is self-worth. This means not only teaching them self-confidence (trusting their abilities, qualities, and judgments), but also self-respect. Children with a healthy attitude about themselves and their capacity will feel able to tackle life’s challenges.
Self-worth and values are a kid’s ticket to a lifetime of mental health and social happiness. They are the foundation of a child’s well-being and the key to their success as an adult. Regardless of age, how you feel about yourself affects how you act. Those who know their worth and values love themselves. This informs them to make better choices and pushes them to achieve their goals. With the abysmal rise in hate, building self-worth and values in children should be a priority.
4 Ways to Build Self-Worth and Values in Children
- Provide responsibilities that are fitting for the child’s age: When we give duties to children, they feel accountable for the success of that thing. This makes them give their best to see it succeed. Doing this will raise the kid’s confidence. We may instruct the child to care for a pet, for instance. By caring for the pet, they will learn to love. If they can’t bring harm to the pet, they won’t be able to bring harm to another person. This readies them for adulthood and helps to build a society of love.
- Praise the child without pretense, but avoid excessive praise: Praising children raises their morale, especially when it comes from the parents. It helps validate their drive to succeed at anything. However, we must be wary of overpraising kids because they take everything we say hook, line, and sinker, whether we meant it or not. Praise in moderation.
- Allow the child to fail: We should teach the value of determination in kids from a young age. Allow them to make mistakes. Use their mistakes to show them that successful people don’t give up but rise again after an error or failure. I bet that when such a kid is grown, they will never give up on any task or idea. They will find themselves striving to achieve and won’t know what drives them. It is you! You stamped the permanent seal of determination in them
- Do not criticize children in harsh tones:
- “You’re so dumb!”
- “Why are so lazy?”
- “You are very irresponsible.”
- I regret giving birth to you.”
Any harsh tone you use on a child, especially with words like those above, stays with them for their lifetime. When they grow up and make a mistake, they will say, “My mom always said I was a failure.” Harsh words destroy a child’s self-worth, and the effects trail the child to adulthood. When correcting children, we should instruct lovingly, always providing an alternative way to act.
Four Values to Teach a Child
- Love: Teach the child to demonstrate love by being helpful to people and assisting those in need.
- Respect: Encourage the child to treat everyone with respect—to call older men “Sir” and older women “Ma’am.” Teach them to respect all humans, no matter their color.
- Determination: Encourage the child to do things that don’t come easily and never to give up in the face of challenges.
- Honesty: Teach the child to be truthful at all times and to avoid telling lies for fear of being punished.