How Respecting the Children Increases Their Self-Esteem (1)

Experts point out that children who feel being respected have stronger self-esteem, self-reliance and energy.

When communicating with children, we adults often than not have a certain expectation on their behaviours and school performance. When children start to feel that they are not being respected or listened to, they may resort to certain behaviours to catch your attention. Over time, these behaviours may contribute to mental health issues.

How can we ensure that children grow up in a healthy environment?

1. Respect the child’s personality

Early childhood is the time when children develop their personality. In fact, each one of us has different personality. If we could respect our friends etc. for their differences, we couldn’t we respect those of the children? If adults frequently try to force the children to behave in a certain way without giving them the opportunity to choose, they may not be able to develop decision-making skills. Even if the choices they made are not right, at least, they will learn from the wrong choices they have made instead of having everything laid out properly for them.

2. Respect the child’s emotion

Let them express their emotions freely. Emotion is an outlet to release both positive and negative energies from our body. Don’t we, as adults, feel uncomfortable and stressed out when we weren’t allowed to express our emotions freely? Don’t we feel a surge of relief once we express those emotions? Same applies to the children. In fact, they are emotionally weaker than us adults. Suppressing emotions over a long period of time may lead to low self-esteem, depression or other mental health issues. Hence, respect their needs to release their emotions even if you may find it incomprehensible.

3. Respect the child’s needs

All of us have our own needs. So do children. As long as the child’s needs are reasonable, we shall give our best to fulfil their needs. Frequently rejecting children’s reasonable needs will make them feel that they are not being loved and not important.

Above all, parents, teachers and everyone involves in communicating with children shall nurture those children in terms of positive thinking. We can achieve that by reflecting on our actions and reactions towards matters in life and lead by example.

Further reading:

• Study says: Parents’ Yelling and Hitting Are Equally Harmful
• How to Say No Without Saying No
• Why Love Matters: How Affection Shapes a Baby’s Brain