IN Pine-Richland Fall 2018 | Page 41
INDUSTRY INSIGHT
I
CHILD CARE
SPONSORED CONTENT
CREATING CONFIDENCE IN
CHILDREN THIS SUMMER
nstilling confidence in young children helps them develop
their social skills and a sense of self-worth. When we feel good
about ourselves it shows; situations seem easier to handle and
we communicate in a more upbeat and positive manner. That
positivity can spread to others. Smiles are contagious!
Children need to feel validated and loved. Their parents’ positive
reinforcement and encouragement helps them gain confidence, and
once they are in school, educators and peers also influence their self-
worth. How children feel affects how children act.
Model Confidence
Our children are in tune with our actions, so what we feel and
perceive can influence our children. A positive self-image provides
a strong example to children and helps them feel good about the
world. Since children can mirror our behavior, we need to lead by
example and model confidence. Bad days happen, and sometimes we
feel overwhelmed or down for no reason. When we feel unhappy, it is
a good idea to remind children that challenges are a part of life, and
we feel happy and fulfilled on most days. If we aren’t happy, we owe
it to ourselves and our children to seek out ways to feel fulfilled and
joyful, which may include reading, meditating, exercising or listening
to music.
Instill a Positive Self-Image
Parents influence their children’s sense of self-worth. Our children
should like who they are and feel comfortable in their own skins.
Children should feel as though their voices will be heard and as
though they can make a difference in the world. We help them
develop a healthy sense of self-worth by acknowledging their
strengths and the qualities that make them unique. Everyone seeks
praise and responds positively to compliments. Children develop a
positive self-image when their parents acknowledge their strengths,
trust in their abilities and see mistakes as opportunities for learning
and growth.
Know Your Child’s Friends CALL
and Their TODAY
Parents
The people around us can affect how we act. Our values may differ
from other parents’ and children’s values. Part of our job as parents is
to get to know our children’s friends and their parents, and observe
any behavioral changes in our children, positive or negative. We can’t
always choose who our children befriend, but we can encourage
them to play with children who will make them happy. Make time to
talk to other parents at your school’s drop-off or pick-up times. Talk
to your children about their play dates, and pay attention to their
attitudes afterward. Are they smiling and excited about the fun they
had, or are they withdrawn?
Express, Don’t Suppress, Feelings
Children need to be able to express how they feel, but also
able to control their tempers. Suppressing feelings does not help
children deal with the issue and keeps them from learning how to
communicate effectively with others. Finding the right balance is
difficult, but if we model healthy ways to talk about our feelings,
children will learn how to express how they feel in a mature,
controlled and age-appropriate manner.
Build Confidence with The Goddard School
At The Goddard School, our talented teachers collaborate with
parents to nurture children into respectful, confident and joyful
learners. We are committed to teaching children about compassion,
cooperation and the significance of giving back to their community.
We pride ourselves in collaborating with the best educational and
child development organizations to provide children with the skills
they need for long-term success in school and life.
READY.
SET.
GOddard!
We help children explore and
discover their interests through
play in a safe environment. We
provide ample opportunities for
fun learning experiences,
promoting a lifelong love of
learning in literacy, science,
technology, engineering, arts and
mathematics.
CALL TODAY!
This Industry Insight was written by Mark & Jennifer
Rebstock.
Prior to opening The Goddard School in Wexford, Mark
Rebstock was training manager for a national utility
company and Jennifer worked in early childhood education.
3000 Brooktree Road, Wexford, PA 15090
724.935.1100 or www.goddardschool.com.
WEXFORD • 724-935-1100
3000 Brooktree Road
GoddardSchool.com
The Goddard Schools are operated by independent franchisees under a license agreement with Goddard Systems,
Inc. Programs and ages may vary. © Goddard Systems, Inc. 2018.
License #00106304 , # 102041650-0001
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