5 small exercises that strengthen your child's self-esteem
Five simple exercises that strengthen your child's self-esteem through small daily rituals — by psychotherapist Helle Møller Jensen.
Small actions – big impact
Self-esteem is like a muscle – it needs to be trained and slowly built up over time. Self-esteem grows through many different small and large experiences in everyday life, where the child feels: "I am good enough, exactly as I am."
Here are five simple exercises you can do together:
1. Three good things about yourself
Ask your child to name three things they like about themselves. Whatever the child — and later you — come up with, let it be as it is. Avoid correcting the child's own answer. Listen and acknowledge.
2. A warm self-hug
Give yourself a hug that lasts 20 seconds. It can also be lovely to hug others. Right now, it's a self-hug. How can your child do it?
3. A letter to the future
Let your child write or draw a letter to their future self. Sit down together and let imagination wander. How are you doing next summer? Draw — it really doesn't have to be a beautiful drawing — a picture of how you'll be feeling about a year from now. Afterwards, wrap the letter in paper or an envelope. Put it in a good "secret" place.
4. Five treasures from nature
Go for a walk and find five funny, eye-catching or beautiful things in nature. It doesn't matter what you find. Enjoy being curious together.
5. Today's bright moment
Ask at bedtime — or while having dinner together: "What is one thing that made you happy or did you good today?"
When children learn to notice the good, they strengthen both their self-esteem and their faith in life. My 25+ years of experience as a psychotherapist, coach and more — supporting people in their development — has taught me that it works to do and be with small good actions every day. Children are soft and flexible. They take in new things quickly. Give the child you have in mind good experiences in building up their self-esteem.
That is exactly the idea behind the Feel Good Cards for children: small daily experiences that remind the child of their strengths, imagination, courage and loving heart.