Psychology to Help Children Learn Confidence

Self-confidence is one of the traits that enhances a person's quality of life. Like adults, children who learn to develop this quality lead happier, healthier lives. As confidence is mostly a state of mind, techniques used in psychology can be helpful to parents who want their children to develop this trait.

Childhood Development

• Childhood is a time of rapid change and development. Children learn new pieces of information about themselves and their environments on a continual basis. Their ability to develop confidence rests on the feedback they receive in response to their actions. The use of positive reinforcement techniques is a method used in behavioral psychology to shape a person's behavior. By drawing attention to positive behaviors and activities, a child will begin to incorporate these cues into her everyday activities.

Communication

• Children are highly alert to the things that get their parents' attention, whether positive or negative. The way a parent communicates with his child wields a powerful influence on what a child considers important. A child can gain confidence by the way parents acknowledge his thoughts and feelings. Acknowledgement, in and of itself, is a form of positive reinforcement. If a child knows that he'll be praised for behaving in a certain way, this increases the likelihood that he will seek out ways to demonstrate that behavior.

Emotional Development

• Anxiety and fear affect children in much the same way as adults. Feeling unsure about a situation can create feelings of insecurity and doubt. These same emotions can also be opportunities for growth and development when dealt with head-on. In effect, a child's emotional development will directly affect her sense of confidence. Creating an environment where these feelings can be expressed and explored allows a child to learn effective coping skills. By reinforcing this behavior, children learn how to understand their emotional states and work through them.

Decision-Making Skills

• Children tend to naturally gravitate toward new places, new activities and new ways of doing things. A growing sense of independence, and a natural sense of curiosity, enables them to discover themselves as they explore their environments. New experiences can provide opportunities for decision making when issues regarding right and wrong are at stake. As they start to understand the consequences of their actions, children learn to feel confident in their ability to handle new situations.

Structure and Stability

• Stability and structure are the cornerstones of a healthy environment for children. A child's self-confidence is grounded in his sense of knowing what to expect from day to day. These conditions allow him to feel safe and secure. Establishing stability and structure requires parents to be consistent in their use of positive reinforcement techniques. Confidence is learned as a child comes to know where he stands in regards to his behavior, his emotions and his ability to handle new experiences.