Self-confidence is one of the important provisions in personality development and a long learning process. From pre-school age, children have begun to be introduced to activities that build self-confidence. The role of parents and teachers who instill self-confidence will make children more successful in the future.

What is the difference between a child who has self-confidence and a child who lacks confidence? Children who lack self-confidence will feel reluctant to try new things and don’t like challenges because they are afraid of failure, feel unable, and afraid to disappoint others. It is different with children who have self-confidence. Confident children are more likely to take on challenges as a way to find new experiences, new friends, and new ways to have fun.

Psychologist Carl Pickhardt says in an article in The Asian Parent that the enemy of self-confidence is discouragement and fear. So what good habits can parents do to instill confidence in their children? Parents can show respect for every effort their child makes. As parents, we can say that he’s great for doing something. A compliment can have a very important effect because the child can feel the sincerity of love and know that we like what he has done and achieved.

Accompanying children when practicing also makes children feel supported so that they feel confident. The self-confidence that is fostered little by little makes one time when he has to go through the process alone, he becomes more prepared.

Often children also ask questions without stopping. As parents sometimes we feel annoyed by the question. At first glance, their questions may seem silly and unimportant, but don’t discourage their curiosity. This questioning activity is excellent and should not be stopped. Asking also raises awareness in children that there are many things that they do not know. The things they want to know he entrusts his parents to find the answers. In school, children who get good responses when asking questions will confidently ask the teacher and become critical of the situation at hand. As a result, confident children know more about efficient learning methods and get optimal results.

As parents, sometimes we also have to ‘have the heart’ to let our children complete their challenges independently. By not quickly taking over his difficulties, this activity also fosters self-confidence and a sense of responsibility. Children will feel able to face challenges with full confidence. Every now and then let the child know his mistakes and help him correct his mistakes. As parents, we can teach that mistakes made by children are opportunities for learning and development. By understanding this, children will be more willing to try and not afraid to fail. Of course this is a good provision for education and career in the future.

Whether at home or at school, children and their educators can do the following activities to help boost their self-confidence:

  1. Storytelling

Storytelling is one of the skills to speak or provide information to others. Children who like to tell stories, convey information correctly with good and appropriate vocabulary in the future tend to be confident, communicative and have an analytical mindset.

  1. Dancing and Singing

Since childhood, children are also taught to sing and dance because this activity is not only good for exploring the potential that exists but also for physical and mental health. Singing and dancing make you relax, happy, and increase self-confidence.

Moving the body while singing or dancing also brings benefits like exercise. Not only a healthy body, soul, and feelings also become better. Even the habit of exercising from an early age can make children able to express their feelings and thoughts.

  1. Active Play

What is meant by active play is playing with playing partners such as peers, parents, teachers or caregivers. It is different with passive play which involves minimal physical activity such as playing games through gadgets, listening to stories, watching television or reading books with games in them.

The benefits of active play for children are to foster confidence in their abilities, dare to be themselves, become more emotionally stable, foster empathy for their play partners.

  1. Role Play

Maybe you still remember since childhood, we used to play in schools, doctors, salons. Then when we were in school, one day we were introduced to heroes, wearing traditional clothes on Kartini Day or Independence Day. Role playing can train children’s imagination from an early age. Children are able to develop their creativity from the roles they play. Likewise, self-confidence also grows when playing an idol or role model.

These activities are only a small part of the ideas that can foster self-confidence in children. However, don’t forget to adjust it to the age of the child and the stages of the process. If previously the child was rarely introduced to the outside world and socialized, then suddenly the child could not greet the new person friendly.

In everyday life, parents can also apply habits (habits) that support behavior so that children grow up to be children who are full of self-confidence. We can give responsibilities according to his age, for example the responsibility to tidy up his toys and bedroom. Maybe for us the way we arrange toys is not what we want, but the toys returning to their original place are a form of confidence in the responsibilities that they carry out.

There are times when children like certain clothes and will wear them over and over again. Letting children choose their own clothes, choose their own story books or choose the menu they like is a form of self-confidence and also shows their attitude choices. It’s just that we as parents still provide an understanding that there are certain clothes that we must wear in certain situations. For example, uniforms for school or formal clothes to look polite and neat. Likewise with the menu he likes. Maybe he will eat the same thing but we can provide insight into healthy food.

As children get older, when children make mistakes, don’t drop their confidence by correcting in front of others. As parents, we must hold back the attitude not to be quick to blame. Take a break and understand that self-confidence is more important than mistakes in the learning process.

The last thing we can apply to children is to set an example and invite children to do activities together. We can show a friendly and smiling attitude to others so that children learn to socialize and not be awkward. We invite children to worship, stay in touch, give charity so that their confidence is also embedded in applying goodness. In fact, self-confidence is also a feeling of being able to be yourself and a feeling of wanting to do something for someone else that is more meaningful.