Self Esteem And Our Youth Athletes

Rising Stars

The building and supporting a healthy self-esteem starts in childhood. As parents we have a responsibility to help our children to have a healthy self-image. A healthy self-image is the cornerstone of good self-esteem.

The self esteem of a child is crucial in every stage of development. How she looks at herself, her athletic performances, peer camaraderie to name a few items will affect her   future relationships, career development, confidence, prosperity and even happiness. Studies have shown that one of the traits happy people share is having a positive self-image of themselves.

So how do we as parents support a healthy self-image? There are many strategies to do this. Below are five points a parent can do to develop a child’s self-esteem.

 1. Never compare your child with other children

It is said this is the single most damaging behavior we can demonstrate as parents to in some cases ruin his or her child’s self-esteem do to comparison of him or her with other children.  Comparison is a part of almost everything we do in our culture. From school to, physical attributes to athletic ability. 
 
 2. Always praise and encourage your children

When you talk to your child, always remember to use positive and encouraging words.  Always be honest. When you praise, praise honestly so that they trust you tell the complete truth.  Doing so will do wonders for your kid’s self esteem. It does not matter the size of the act is big or small. If it’s good praise them for it.  Remind them they are appreciated and loved. The constant giving of kind, encouraging supportive words to children, helps in the effort to develop sound psychologically balance children.  Always reprimand in a way that keep there pride and ego intact, don’t demean or insult when they have done something wrong. 

3. Always provide an open line of communication

Our kids have busy lives with lots going on daily. Sports, school, friendships to name a few. Let them know they can come to you. Have conversations at times nothing particular is going on. This help that create support and love and confidence in them that you listen and care about there thought all of there thoughts not just topics that may need attention. Ask their opinion and even take it when you can. This builds knowledge that you trust them and their opinions.

4. Give an appropriate level of independence  

Esteem is not just developed by words, but actions as well. Encourage your child to take up a sport or instrument. Let him chose. This can help them develop self confidence and this helps develop his self esteem.

5. Help your child find something he can excel in

Having a talent or an ability that a child can stand out from the crowd is also another thing that can boost their self-esteem. Offering a talent or skill  in addition to sports that others will admire, will build trust and confidence in himself will strengthen. Affirmations, accolades and admirations are great ego boosts to children. People who have achievements because of their own talents have higher self-esteem than others.

 Some experts say that genetics does not play a role in self esteem. More a function of chance. Some people are just born to have high self-esteem while others are born with low ranges much like what happens with intelligence quotients. In addition psychologists argue that most of the development of the self-esteem happens in the environment. Personal experience, parental practices, choice of friends and discovery of talents play a major role in determining just how much self-esteem a person will develop.
 Having high self-esteem in one aspect of one’s life does not mean that the high self-esteem will also apply in other sectors. For instance, a person can be ultra confident in one’s athletic pursuits , but become less than proficient in the mathmatical skills and social interactions and emotional entanglements are at best confusing. There are only a few people who can achieve the right balance of self-esteem in all aspects of life.