Building up Children’s Self-Confidence in a Meaningful Way

Possessing a main campus in Tampa, Florida, and additional locations in New Mexico and Honduras, Hope Children’s Home (hopechildrenshome.org) is committed to offering a safe shelter for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. One core tenet of Hope Children’s Home is to help these youth to develop a positive self-image.

As explored in a Focus on the Family article, one foundational aspect of self-confidence and self-esteem involves showing children their intrinsic value as individuals. God has created each person with a special purpose. By focusing on the characteristics of a loving Heavenly Father and upholding the values of compassion and caring, one can develop a healthy self-image. Confidence is built from core values.

Another aspect of the self-confidence equation involves avoiding flattery and insincere praise. Instead, you should praise performance based on facts that are accurate, sincere, and applicable to daily life. Rather than dwelling on mistakes or exhorting people to try harder the next time, a better motivational approach is to praise their successes. Then, emphasize that reaching one’s best performance is a process that takes time, practice, and dedication.