6 Keys to Confidence: Parents Help Children Build Self-esteem

6 Keys to Confidence: Parents Help Children Build Self-esteem

One recent afternoon Jenn T. sat on a bench, gazing at a safety floor where her son Joshua called commands to his peers. It looked simple, but speaking to an audience wasn’t always possible for this seven-year-old.

 

As a leadership student at Mastery Martial Arts, his task was to mirror the karate instructor’s voice and movements. Then, he and his team had to exit the floor, greet a guest, and praise them, saying things like “I like your smile, ma’am.”

 

This was a big achievement for Josh. Originally, his parents had enrolled him in the Little Dragons’ class to improve his speech. Now, he was directing others.

 

“We needed him to talk more,” said his mom. “When he first started, his voice was low. You couldn’t really hear him. Now he has to say ‘Sir,’ ‘Goodbye, sir,’ ask others their names, and say his name. He can actually lead a class with his words and he has the confidence to do that.”

 

Joshua isn’t alone. Surveys show that one of people’s greatest fears is public speaking. Think about when you had to speak to a group and how afraid you felt. This kind of fear is not limited by age, but can be conquered by knowledge and Mastery Martial arts leadership training..

 

We offer you six simple keys of confidence to share with your children. These are eye contact, posture, clear voice, appearance, attitude, and smile. Remember that motion creates emotion, so demonstrate these:

 

Play a game to show confidence. Slouch to show no confidence; stand tall to show confidence. Offer praise.
Tell them to greet you with whisper and avoid eye contact. Then, have them make eye contact, smile, and say, “Hello.”
Have them praise you in a clear voice, then you smile.
Show them it is important to care about your appearance. Feel free to be silly. For example, mess up your hair. Ask them to describe how this looks. Stress the importance of neatness.
Tell them to ask you questions and then you pout instead of responding. Then, respond to those same questions clearly. Ask them the difference. A positive attitude is everything.
Encourage them to not quit. Try simple exercises like push ups or sit ups. Count for them. Set a goal and tell them they CAN DO IT!

If you would like to more information, pleae visit us at www.masteryconfidence.com.

 

 

 

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