10 Tips to Take Your Child From Self-Conscious to Confident

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Every parent’s goal is to always raise confident, self-sufficient kids, but we also know that it can seem confusing and difficult to achieve this. Just how do you go about encouraging confidence in a child who is a bit on the self-conscious side?

Luckily for you, we at Drama Kids International are helping kids unlock their confident sides daily!  Here are 10 tips you can work on over the summer with your child:

  1. Acknowledge when he or she is being brave.Has your child stepped out of his/her comfort zone and done something he or she used to be scared of? Be sure to acknowledge this act of bravery, as this is one of the first steps toward growing out of his or her self-consciousness.
  2. Take small steps in uncomfortable social situations.Is your child a bit on the introverted side and working toward becoming more comfortable in social situations he or she would normally shy away from? This is another positive step toward becoming more confident, but encouraging him or her to do too much too fast is not advised. Help your child continue to ease into new social situations and get ready to see him or her blossom.
  3. Model self-love and positive self-talk.Our kids are always watching us, so by modeling self-love and positive self-talk we are teaching them how to not be so hard on themselves. We all know that accidents and mistakes happen, but instead of talking poorly about ourselves, demonstrate that it’s OK!
  4. Give genuine compliments.Compliment your child for something that took an act of kindness or bravery. Complimenting your child on something he or she has been working hard to perfect is also a great place to start.
  5. Teach resilience.We’ve previously discussed the seven C’s of resilience, but if you need a refresher, they are: competence, confidence, connection, character, contribution, coping and control. Embrace the seven C’s and watch your child’s resilience blossom.
  6. Support his or her pursuit of a passion.Has your child taken a keen interest in a new activity? Do your best to support him or her in this new pursuit—it’s as simple as that!
  7. Set rules and be consistent.Consistency in a child’s life is key to many success factors and can apply where confidence is concerned as well. Make sure your child knows the rules and that you follow them as well.
  8. Coach relationship skills.No, we’re not just talking about young love, we’re talking about relationships with peers, teachers, etc. Your child needs to understand what healthy relationships look like on all fronts.
  9. Help your child set realistic goals.Never deter your child from chasing dreams.  Instead be sure to steer him or her toward goals that can be accomplished and crossed off the list.
  10. Help your child prepare for public performances.There will always be instances where your child must engage in public speaking or other performances, and by enrolling your child in one of our drama programs, you’ll be helping him or her put the best foot forward in these situations!

Along with your phenomenal parenting skills, Drama Kids International is able to step up and help your child build up confidence and push self-consciousness to the side with our specialized drama classes. Come find out why the “difference is dramatic” today!

How to Help Your Child Overcome Worries

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Worrying—We all know how trying it can be to deal with and work through worries, but guess what? That worry bug isn’t limited just to adults.

Yes, our kids can be inflicted with plenty of worries of their own. Through our experiences working with children, our team at Drama Kids International has learned many ways to help them work through and overcome their worries and we are more than happy to share some of the techniques with you!

  1. Place their attention and focus elsewhere.This is a technique that has been used by parents and teachers alike for ages but is always nice to get a refresher on. Consider it the art of distraction, where you are drawing your child’s focus away from the worry and onto something more positive, perhaps by going outside, playing a game or turning on a favorite song.
  2. Highlight the positive.Instead of letting your children focus on worries or negative distractions, flip the script and make them consider the positives. Find out what was the best part of your child’s day, something that made him or her excited, or something that resulted in fun, positive memories.
  3. Put those worries in a jar.Sometimes the physical act of writing down what is worrying your child and locking it away in a jar at the end of each day can be just what he or she needs. As adults, we can escape our worries with television or browsing online, but a child may benefit from a more tangible wayof locking fears and worries up tight.
  4. Get those endorphins going.Yes – physical activities and exercise can be a fantastic way to help your child overcome his or her worries. Never underestimate the impact the endorphins being released and how they can make your child more optimistic about the future.
  5. Offer reassurance and comfort.We know – this is another age-old, no-brainer tactic, but it can be one of the best in your arsenal! We all can benefit from a bit of reassurance when feeling engulfed by worries, and sometimes a hug from mom or dad or words of comfort are the best way to help your child through the worst of his or her worries.

Remember, they may be young but that doesn’t minimize the worries our children have day in and day out. By utilizing these tips and making an active effort to understand where those worries are coming from, you’ll be making a positive impact in your child’s life!

Drama Kids International has experienced and well-trained teachers throughout the country who are ready and able to help your child escape their worries by focusing on positive, uplifting, and confidence-building thoughts and activities in a safe and supportive environment. Contact us today!