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Share your tips for boosting confidence in small children for a chance to win a SIGNED copy of THE LION INSIDE plus a £100 JOHN LEWIS VOUCHER!

210 replies

SorchaMumsnet · 11/03/2016 12:03

From the creator of the known and loved Bright Side lifestyle brand, Rachel Bright, and illustrator of Oi Frog!, Jim Field, comes a feel good rhyming story about one little mouse trying to make himself heard and discovering along the way that even the smallest of us can have the heart of a lion.

Perfect for fans of Giraffes Can't Dance, this stylish book from two contemporary stars really is something to shout about - it will make you laugh, cry and want to read it every bedtime.

Share your tips for boosting confidence in small children for a chance to win a signed copy of The Lion Inside plus a £100 John Lewis voucher!

This discussion is sponsored by Hachette and will close on 4 April when the winner will be posted on the thread.

Share your tips for boosting confidence in small children for a chance to win a SIGNED copy of THE LION INSIDE plus a £100 JOHN LEWIS VOUCHER!
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GeorgeW78 · 04/04/2016 23:32

Find the positive in whatever they have done and praise them for it. Don't over do it as it can be counter-productive and they'll know if you don't mean it!

tishist · 04/04/2016 20:49

Praise them when they achieve something and be positive with them

Cathp8088 · 04/04/2016 19:56

You should focus on a child's effort and not the result. For example "you worked so hard", "wow how did you do that can you show me" etc.

Elliecherry · 04/04/2016 18:48

Encouragement, praise and letting them acknowledge they have done well at something and feel good about it. Being positive about them and letting them have their own ideas.

piggypoo · 04/04/2016 16:38

Listen to them, make them feel that what they have to say is important. That their feelings and opinions matter, also plenty of praise, every little pasta picture and portrait goes up on the fridge and the walls! Encourage them to ask questions so they grow curious about the world around them, and last but not least, make them feel they are loved! :)

Jocelynne123 · 04/04/2016 15:54

Lots and lots of prise and encouragement. But be specific, say wow you did so well staying inside the lines or I'm so impressed how straight you cut that. Also asking them to 'teach' you or a younger sibling how they do something really makes them feel good xx

bex552 · 04/04/2016 15:48

Positivity and praise, interact with them in all social situations and include them in conversations.

caz123456 · 04/04/2016 13:24

I loved to praise my childrens behaviour, if I saw them be kind, well behaved, or if they just did the right thing. Also listen to your child, make them know that you think they are amazing and their confidence will get a big boost!

myusername12345 · 04/04/2016 12:01

I think praise for specific achievements and activities, but also let them fail without rushing in to save the day all the time.

meggysar · 04/04/2016 08:27

Praise is key even for the small things making them feel they've achieved something is very important.

Eyre89 · 04/04/2016 06:47

Listen to them and lots of praise. Don't make a big thing of them not being able to do something, praise their efforts don't criticise. Always try to understand where a fear may have come from and think of ways to support them with it and understand its OK to be afraid of things, but some things aren't as scary as they might think. Don't try to force them to not be afraid but support them in learning that some things aren't as scary as they might think. Just support, encourage and lots of praise.

lolamia91 · 04/04/2016 03:10

Let them explore let them go outside their comfort zones. I think the trick is it has to be the right time for them, but encourage them as much as possible

dawnylou · 04/04/2016 01:10

Positivity is key. Be confident in them in order to increase their own confidence!
Also be empathetic and help them learn to be patient and calm.

clarabella12 · 04/04/2016 00:48

lots of encouragement and praise.

sarsar123 · 03/04/2016 22:33

Lots of praise and encouragement! Taking an interest in what interests your child and being supportive! Listen and talk to your child! (Really listen making eye contact, they know when you are not really listening)

cocochips · 03/04/2016 20:41

It is important no to be too pushy and to always keep encouraging and supporting

lucyrobinson · 03/04/2016 20:35

I try and boost my sons confidence by being there for him. Being positive. My son thrives on consistency. I tell him that i love him and try and praise him. Also take a lot about the positive things and not the negative ones.

helly27 · 03/04/2016 20:22

Praise, praise, praise even for the little things

Carriecakes80 · 03/04/2016 20:20

I have two older boys and two girls, and with my youngest two, they were both lacking a little in confidence at school. Due to illness I began homeschooling them, and straightaway they grew more confident, and were happier. Not saying home education is for everyone, but for us, its been absolutely amazing. One thing that has helped my youngest is letting her pay for things in shops, and also, she loves to do the washing. She even shows my 17 year old how to seperate his darks and colours and how to put them on the right wash, and she's only five lol. Home educating is so much fun, we learn what we want to when we want to, and its completely changed my kids into confident bubbly kids that enjoy every single day, including the long lie ins! lol

Share your tips for boosting confidence in small children for a chance to win a SIGNED copy of THE LION INSIDE plus a £100 JOHN LEWIS VOUCHER!
welshpolarbear · 03/04/2016 19:59

I have a 3 yr old so haven't been doing this for that long in the scheme of things, but I find that he responds really positively to praise and noticing when he has done something good. It makes him really happy and in turn wants to do more things good to get the same response. For example we started a sticker chart and when he's doing something really well, or being really kind or helpful he'll get a sticker and he's now started asking what he can do to help to earn himself another sticker. I can see that he's really enjoying doing things well and it's boosting his confidence and encouraging him at the same time.

jacqroberts68 · 03/04/2016 17:10

Praise them at every opportunity, get them to read and write with you and make it fun.

pinkspideruk · 03/04/2016 16:51

Giving praise and letting them know its okay to fail and make mistakes. Also when starting something new that might be difficult let them do the parts that are achievable first - that will build their confidence and then encourage them to continue with the bits that are harder

mumpetuk1 · 03/04/2016 12:57

I make sure they interact with lots of children by having parties and lots of tea's.

RuthMarianna · 03/04/2016 12:22

Never make them feel small if they make a mistake but rather help them to see for themselves where they went wrong and praise them for putting it right.

danikagrace · 03/04/2016 02:07

Give specific praise, for example instead of simply saying 'good job' say 'I really liked how when things got difficult you didn't give up, that makes me very proud of you'