It takes confidence to be children. Do go to a new school or stepping up to bat for the first time, children face a lot of uncharted territory.
Naturally, parents want to instill can-do attitude in their children so that they would dare to face the new challenges and, from time to time, to believe in themselves. While every child is a little different, parents can follow some general guidelines for building self-confidence of children.
Self-confidence comes from a sense of competence. In other words, the children develop self-confidence not because parents tell them they're great, but because of their achievements, big and small. Sure, it's good to hear encouraging words from mom and dad. But words of praise mean more when they refer to the child's special efforts or new abilities.
When children achieve something, whether it be brushing their own teeth or riding a bike, they get a sense of themselves as able and capable, and which utilizes a high-octane fuel of confidence.
Build self-confidence can begin very early. When babies learn to turn the pages of a book or toddlers learn to walk, they get the idea "I can do it!" With every new and important skills, children can develop self-confidence increased.
Parents can help by giving children many opportunities to practice and master their skills, letting kids make mistakes and be there to boost their morale so that they keep trying. Responding to the interest and excitement when kids show off new skills, and reward them with praise when they achieve the goal or make a good effort.
With abundant opportunities, good instruction, and lots of patience from parents, children can master the basic skills - like tying their shoes and make beds. Later, when other important challenges present themselves, children can approach them knowing that they have been successful in other areas.
Naturally, parents want to instill can-do attitude in their children so that they would dare to face the new challenges and, from time to time, to believe in themselves. While every child is a little different, parents can follow some general guidelines for building self-confidence of children.
Self-confidence comes from a sense of competence. In other words, the children develop self-confidence not because parents tell them they're great, but because of their achievements, big and small. Sure, it's good to hear encouraging words from mom and dad. But words of praise mean more when they refer to the child's special efforts or new abilities.
When children achieve something, whether it be brushing their own teeth or riding a bike, they get a sense of themselves as able and capable, and which utilizes a high-octane fuel of confidence.
Build self-confidence can begin very early. When babies learn to turn the pages of a book or toddlers learn to walk, they get the idea "I can do it!" With every new and important skills, children can develop self-confidence increased.
Parents can help by giving children many opportunities to practice and master their skills, letting kids make mistakes and be there to boost their morale so that they keep trying. Responding to the interest and excitement when kids show off new skills, and reward them with praise when they achieve the goal or make a good effort.
With abundant opportunities, good instruction, and lots of patience from parents, children can master the basic skills - like tying their shoes and make beds. Later, when other important challenges present themselves, children can approach them knowing that they have been successful in other areas.
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Depression in Children
Depression is not just bad moods and occasional melancholy. It not only feel disappointed or sad, either. These feelings are normal in children, especially during adolescence. Even when major disappointments and setbacks make people feel sad and angry, negative feelings usually decrease with time.
But when a state of depression, or mood, stay alive for a long time - weeks, months, or even more - and to limit one's ability to function normally, it can be diagnosed as depression.
Types of depression include: major depression, dysthymia, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, seasonal affective disorder, and bipolar disorder or manic depression. All of these can affect children and adolescents.
Major depression is a serious condition characterized by sad mood constantly, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and inability to feel pleasure or happiness. Major depression usually disrupt the day-to-day functioning like eating and sleeping.
A child with major depression feels depressed almost every day. In children, depression can appear as a "bad mood" or irritability that persist for a long time, even if the child is admitted to be sad.
Dysthymia may be diagnosed if sadness or irritability is not as severe but continues for a year or more. Children with dysthymia often feel "down in the dumps." They may have low self esteem, feel hopeless, and even have trouble sleeping and eating.
Unlike major depression, dysthymia does not greatly affect the day-to-day functioning but "down mood" is part of the world wide child. However, at least 10% of those with dysthymic disorder go on to develop major depression.
Bipolar disorder, another type of mood disorder, characterized by episodes of low-energy depression (sadness and hopelessness) and high-energy mania (irritability and emotional outbursts). Bipolar disorder may affect as many as 1% to 2% of the children. More than 2 million adults have bipolar disorder, which often develops in late adolescence and early adulthood.
Studies in children are not comprehensive, but experts believe that children and adolescents with bipolar disorder can experience a number of problems, including attention deficit disorder, oppositional behavior disorders, anxiety, and irritability in addition to changes in mood from depression to mania.
