Acknowledging our Strengths and Weaknesses to Build Confidence

My cat is currently at the kitchen window yelling and batting at the snowflakes through the glass. I'm not sure anyone is excited to see the snow this year!

I'm finding inspiration today from a short article by a clinical psychologist from the September issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

In lessons I continuously praise students on what they have done well and I try to point out things that are now easy that were once hard. I also always find something new to work on, a skill to make better, or a new challenge to work toward. After all, learning never ends!

The combination of being able to talk about our strengths and weaknesses and to accept praise and criticism is essential to a child's confidence building.

First of all, we must accept all children for who they are. We must never compare them to other children. Everyone has their own unique combination of strengths and weaknesses. As parents and teachers we must make it very clear that perfectionism is not the main goal. It's about accepting challenges, trying our best, and through our determination, things that were once hard become easier. We continue to grow and change.

Be aware of labels that sneak into our everyday talk. This can be tough! Always explaining how shy your child is or strong willed or even hard working, etc. can cause a permanent label on your child. Instead, continue to encourage behaviours and skills that seem to be outside of your child's comfort zone and challenge other behaviours and skills that they could strengthen and master further.

Children are never just one thing. They have so many layers to continue to build upon. A great thing that the Suzuki method offers is high expectations. We do not allow a child who is struggling to play twinkle up to speed to only play twinkle with other kids at his/her level. We put that child in a class with varying ages and levels and give them a chance to push themselves without pressure to build the skill of playing twinkle up to speed. Without the chance to try it, the skill will never happen. Every child deserves the chance to meet high expectations especially if the journey and learning environment is done so with love and caring.

How many times do we make a mistake at home and get down on ourselves explaining how stupid we are and how we should have known better? Even though we may think it and feel it, don't put yourself down in front on your child! This is tough too! But if we don't want our children to put themselves down, we must first set the example. Instead, admit how you messed up and explain how you will do better next time.

Last but not least, talk to your children and do this from the start and always. Talk not just about the ins and outs of everyday, but how things made them feel and tell them how things made you feel about the day. If we can talk about the things going on inside us with the people we care about, its not only a really great FREE form of therapy, but it can strengthen your bond with your child and boost both your confidence.

Thanks BHG for a great simple article!