Please or to access all these features

Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

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!
OP posts:
allybird1 · 14/03/2016 20:12

Let them do something themselves and then tell them how well they did it all on their own.:)

kateandme · 14/03/2016 20:05

always praise. even when if they do wrong you've got to understand the age and its hjow they are making there way in the world.its how they learn.
show love no matter what. a person who feel cherished and loved will conquer all. they mgith still go through horrid times they might witness horrid things. but if they are loved they will get through.

blogmumjd · 14/03/2016 20:01

Lots of praise for their achievements and making sure they get to win at games sometimes. Although this then annoys big brother

MunchkinMama · 14/03/2016 19:48

I try to get my kids to make decisions all the time, even the smallest things, they get to contribute to all family discussions and decisions so I hope it makes them feel valued, important and equal.

Marg2k8 · 14/03/2016 19:47

Praise them whenever they do anything well.

SarahJE35 · 14/03/2016 19:46

Be present and interested in what they are saying. Discuss things and treat their view as important and valid. Remind them that everything in life, even the mishaps, are all normal parts of learning, everything won't always be perfect and that's fine, they have you as their ally and cuddle bunny!

milliemoon · 14/03/2016 19:43

Plenty of praise and showing and telling them they are loved

Anitata · 14/03/2016 19:39

Plenty of praise all the time. If they fail on anything turn it into something positive with what they did well at. Ask them for ideas on different things to make them know that their thoughts count.

barbarafyles · 14/03/2016 19:16

If you can help your child accept the fact that it’s OK to get things wrong – show him that you get things wrong too – you’re opening up a whole new world for him. You’re giving him acceptance of himself and the ability to cope with new situations even when you’re not there.

So sometimes we should do things wrong on purpose so he can see how to deal with it and, if possible, make it right again.

That’s empowering him with confidence and promoting independence; indispensable skills that will make starting school as easy as falling off his bike!

quizqueen · 14/03/2016 19:12

Give children some household responsibility and praise when they do it well, rather than complaining if they don't. No matter how young they are there will be something they can do to help e.g. making sure the dog bowl has fresh water in the morning before they settle down for their own breakfast or putting out their clean underwear the night before so it is ready for dressing for school.

LizMay29 · 14/03/2016 19:11

Giving them choices from an early age, respecting their decision, looking out for the good to praise rather than only pointing out the bad.

emilybc · 14/03/2016 19:10

Let them know that you're there. Even if you ask them to do little things that might scare them or push them out of their comfort zone - knowing you are there should give them that little push!

sjonlegs · 14/03/2016 19:09

My middle son was born confident - but his little sister has always been less so, and always in his shadow. She's 3 years younger, but very mature for her age. We have NEVER pushed her ... but encouraged and coaxed her to push herself. With the help from some older girls (who she admires) and younger girls (that she loves to nurture) we let her find her place. It's worth trying EVERYTHING with her in the hope that something will click. We don't scold - but we do praise for all the great things. It's when she achieves something that she didn't think she could do and that made her really nervous that we saw her shine and her confidence levels soared. Individuality and personal goals are key. Talk to your child and see what they want to do and what they want to achieve.

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!
lottietiger · 14/03/2016 18:45

I agree with all the things above, praise, love encouragement but I also believe letting them make their own mistakes helps with confidence. Obviously I would never let my son do anything dangerous but if things are within his capability I won't hover in case he falls but encourage him that he can do it on his own and be there for him if things don't quite go to plan. Reassure him that he hasn't failed that sometimes it takes more than one try to get things right and not to give up.

carz1985 · 14/03/2016 18:44

Lots of praise for when they do good and encourage them to do things they don't want to by helping them or doing it with them. If Iv had same problems when I was younger I tell my daughters and tell them what I did to cover come them.we also Try and think of people who have same problems from things she likes so say Disney Princess when we Watch films we will take and dicuss why they did what they did ect. Iv told my daughter any problems she has she can some to me and we will sort out what to do.my youngest only 1 so not at this stage yet.iv also told her to look out for her friends as well as its not always about winning either it's about taking part that count. My 3 year old very confident anyway and will do most things and my 1 year old seems be going same way but I do what I can to help them.think more me than them that needs the confidence lol

maureenm48 · 14/03/2016 18:43

Encourage them to be independent.
Don't expect perfection - praise when they've done well.

skippink · 14/03/2016 18:20

Praise,love and loving discipline
Also letting them know that you make mistakes too!

cookiemonster66 · 14/03/2016 18:12

Lots of love, praise and encouragement

JaneHair · 14/03/2016 17:38

Praise and 'well done' when your child has genuinely made an effort and tried hard - they're smart enough to see through fake compliments Grin I think it is particularly important to praise the effort and achievements of disabled children like my DD who may not do as well at an activity as their non-disabled peers but still try hard to do their best.

bluetail14 · 14/03/2016 17:22

I see what other parents mean when they say that praising your child is good for boosting their confidence. however, i've seen so many spoilt kids in playgroups who're too arrogant and dont listen to anything an adult says to them.
My advice would be to encourage your kids to play with others. this way, they'll learn how to co-operate, will be able to share their thoughts and make decisions together. when a child is acknowledged and listened to by his/her peers then his or her social confidence will develop naturally. he or she will also be making friends easily and will do better at school.

barricade · 14/03/2016 17:22

You can never give too much praise and encouragement. And from as early an age as possible, too. Physical rewards (which are earned) are great. Be there to listen to what they have to say, console and motivate when things do not go too well. Be considerate and compassionate - restrict the need to raise your voice when they appear to do something 'wrong', instead explain in detail WHY what they've done is not acceptable, and ensure they understand.

And never forget, we were all bumbling/anxious/clueless/excitable/hyper/loud/quiet/immature/silly/troublesome/stubborn/over-dramatic children once.

Smile
Cmoore7351 · 14/03/2016 17:21

Positive praise, taking little steps at a time, reinforce that it's ok to make mistakes and be worried and time. X

Anusia86 · 14/03/2016 17:21

For little ones it is praising that is very best for them. We also clap our hands when she will do something that she normally wouldn't or don't want to at first. That work very well too.

stealthsquiggle · 14/03/2016 17:14

When they are not happy with something they have done, we try to focus on how much it has improved over earlier efforts. So cooking/painting/school work - yes, it might not have come out exactly how you wanted it to, but just think about a year/month ago when you tried X. One of DS's teachers did this with him as part of telling him how well she thought he had done in overcoming some challenges "so, DS, let's think about how the DS of 12 months ago would have reacted to this setback?"

With DD, who always compares herself unfavourably with her big brother, I have occasionally resorted to finding pieces of his work/art/whatever at the same age to show her so that if she must compare herself it is at least to him at the same age. I would of course prefer that she didn't feel the need to compare at all, but her self confidence is definitely best described as "work in progress"

Mozarmstrong · 14/03/2016 17:08

Praise is tops even when something is not quite there in our world where there's a will there's a way

Swipe left for the next trending thread