Low self-esteem can cause a vicious cycle which makes someone feel worse and worse.
Dyslexic children feel badly about themselves for many reasons.
If you don’t change the root cause of their negative feelings, their self-esteem will take an even deeper dive.
This cycle of negativity can be damaging, but there are things that you can do to help them break the cycle.
Try these techniques to give your child’s self-esteem a boost:
- Help him to learn and master a new skill.
- Brainstorm with him and find a skill that will benefit something he already does.
- Mastering a new skill will make his confidence in his abilities grow.
- Help him make a list of all of his accomplishments.
- Have him post the list in a visible place.
- From time to time, read the list to remind him of what he is good at.
- Instill in him the habit of thinking positively.
- Teach him to think of a difficult task as something that can be overcome.
- Show him what he can learn from the experience.
- Coach him to avoid worrying about what others think.
- Encourage him to always do his best and feel confident that he did his best.
- His self-esteem will soar when he knows that he did his best.
- Train him to focus on what he can change.
- Some things in life are out of our control.
- Direct him to focus his energy on the things he can control
Once you begin to incorporate some of these tips into your child’s daily life, his self-esteem will start to grow.
It may not happen overnight, but with time you will certainly see an improvement.
The 5 techniques that you share, Florence, while you say they are good for giving your dyslexic child’s self-esteem a boost, I think they are good for ANYONE, of ANY AGE!
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by. Yes, Paul, anyone will benefit. I address parents of dyslexic children with the intention of letting them know that their child is no different from others. With encouragement and support, they will thrive and succeed…in school and life.
Florence, great pointers, actually for any child. Many grew up being belittled, succeeding less well in life than their confident cohorts. I’m for whatever builds true self-esteeem. Thanks for another great piece.
You’re right, Kebba, about the belittling of our children who learn differently. One of the reasons I write is to bring their parents into awareness of their unique and special qualities, which better equips them for the 21st century than their “normal” counterparts. They must champion their children to success!
I appreciate all you have written and have used some of the positive reinforcement your suggest with my exceptional child. She is a grown woman beautiful and full of confidence now. Thank you for your support and words.
You’re welcome, Jeri, and thank you for your posts about music and life. I enjoyed reading your blog and gained some pointers on different aspects of life and living. Kudos to your daughter. My exceptional daughter is also an adult and doing very well.
What great self-esteem techniques Florence! It’s hard enough for any child but one with a slight disadvantage needs positivity. I have a feeling that Lia will be one to help show them love and self-esteem as she gets older. CONGRATULATIONS on completing the UBC and I’ll see you at the Cornerstone Challenge!
Yes, Martha, children who learn differently need parents who support and encourage them to acknowledge and expand on their strengths. Kudos to you and Lia. You are blazing a trail for many parents and children to follow.