Self esteem is vital for happiness. It is how much you value yourself and how important you think you are. Self esteem is based on the belief that your wants and needs are important, but not more so than the wants and needs of others.

For this reason high self esteem must be developed from an early age. Children need good role models so they have the opportunity to acquire the habit of healthy self esteem as it is a learned behaviour.

Children’s minds are like sponges and will absorb experiences with all their senses. In order to build their confidence and be more successful in life then it is essential to develop self esteem. One of the main factors in doing this is to find ways to allow them to feel more in control.

Thoughts create our feelings so one of the most important ways to increase self esteem is to be aware of our thoughts about them and their thoughts about themselves. Encourage them to discuss their drams for the future. Let their imagination run wild and ask for suggestions on how it could happen. Under no circumstances shatter their dreams by saying it cannot be done. 

Develop their dreams through role play. Let them know how it feels to be that person or live in that place. Go into as much detail as possible. Expand their thoughts and dream together. This need to have “feel good” allows the child or others to feel good about themselves.

Do not ridicule who or what they want to be. How can you know how their live will turn out? It is only by exploring possibilities and being encouraged to be whom or what they want to be that they will feel good about themselves. Sharing their sense of self worth, enjoyment, excitement and fun about a dream with others will enable them to

Get your child to make a list, verbal or written, about all the positive things they can think of about themselves. They may need a bit of guidance at first but ideas should soon flow. The more they look for positive things about themselves the more they will find.

 Get children involved in voluntary work. The more they help other people the better they will feel about themselves. It will also help to prevent unnecessary prejudices against other people.

You do not have to be related to children to have an influence. Any child you come into contact with who lets you into their dream world offers and opportunity to develop their self esteem. Children love to share their dreams and sharing their dreams can also create a positive vibration that can change your world too.