Suomeksi

A child as an individual and building of confidence

All individuals are unique. Each individual has his or her own special assets and by supporting those assets that individual can achieve his or her goals in life. Parents can help their child to recognise his assets and show the child how important he is as the unique individual he is.

Even a newborn baby has his unique reactions to everything. When bringing up children, each child’s individual needs should be identified and upbringing adapted accordingly. What worked for the firstborn, may not work for the younger siblings at all. A child cannot be well-behaved or too demanding and must not be taught to expect less by ignoring the child’s signals and communication. A child is always of the right kind exactly as he is and every experience is relevant and true to him.

If the parents are tired of answering their child’s questions, they have to ask for help. Even if a child learns to hide his emotions and needs, she may still be agitated. The moments when a child cannot reach to the adult in his life are very stressful for the child and may be reflected on the child’s body and cause such reactions as, for instance, tension, strong irritability and physical ailments in the baby.

  • Temperament defines reactions to external stimulation.
  • Everybody has their individual and unique way of facing things in our lives, although norms and habits affect the control of emotions and their expression when older.
  • Temperament does not refer to negative things, only, but also positive qualities like happiness, consideration and activeness. Every temperament can be an asset – importance lies in parents knowing their child and supporting his unique personality.

A child’s good self-esteem means that the child has a positive and truthful understanding of self, qualities and skills that he possesses. In other words, self-esteem is self-awareness and self-approval. Self-esteem evolves throughout life. The important development stages affecting the tone and quality of self-esteem in a child’s life are the early phases, around two to three years, when the child learns to express his will and adolescence.

Adults can do a lot to enhance and support a child’s self-esteem. Good self-esteem safeguards the child later from social exclusion and risk-taking behaviour. Self-esteem helps to cope in challenging situations.

  • Believe in the child.
  • Enjoy everyday life.
  • Set an example.
  • Understand and take the individual into consideration.
  • Take care of your wellbeing.
  • Believe in yourself.

References and other links