Give Kids Opportunities to Build Confidence at School

We all want our students to grow in so many areas – from academics to social skills and beyond – and confidence is a key piece to all of those areas. Giving kids opportunities to feel successful while also creating an environment that presents safety for risk-taking is key to building confidence. Keep reading to find some easy tips to help kids build confidence at school and some fun activities to practice!

Help Kids Build Confidence at School

1 – Create a safe, warm environment

If kids don’t feel safe to speak up, to try new things, or to express feelings, confidence is stifled. A school and classroom environment that feels warm, safe, and welcoming is the foundation for confidence opportunities. Creating social contracts, holding kids to high standards for how they treat each other, and warm responsiveness are key.

2- Encourage meaningful participation

Whether it’s participating in class discussions, participating in recess activities, or working together in a group, meaningful participation gives students voice and choice in their learning and growth. Getting to express their feelings, thoughts, ideas, and opinions in a safe, welcoming environment helps kids see themselves as valuable members of the community.

3 – Celebrate efforts over outcomes

Taking time to recognize students’ efforts can go a long way in building their confidence. Simply recognizing their efforts is a great start, but encouraging students to think about how they were thinking and feeling when things were hard, when they struggled, and when they used other strategies that helped them overcome challenges is huge! This helps kids to build a sense of ownership over their efforts and begin to understand that their own personal efforts can result in growth and success.

4 – Create opportunities for responsibility

Giving students responsibilities is another way to build their confidence. Give them tasks that they can complete without much difficulty. When children handle tasks and responsibilities, they get a sense of accomplishment that can increase their self-esteem. These can me simple things like classroom jobs or bigger things like opportunities to mentor younger students or lead an activity at an assembly.

5 – Celebrate their small victories

Whether it’s getting an A on a test or raising their hand to share in a class where they don’t typically share, celebrating their achievements can give children a sense of pride and motivation to continue working hard or trying new things. You can celebrate their achievements by displaying their work on the classroom wall, giving them a certificate, taking a picture with the class, or even sharing their success with families.

6 – Model confidence

Modeling is a powerful way to teach children how to behave. By modeling confidence in your own life, you can show children that confidence is a valuable quality and that it’s okay to make mistakes. Share your experiences and how you overcame your challenges. Show them the importance of standing up for yourself and being proud of who you are. This also contributes to that ever-important warm, supportive, safe classroom and school environment!

Building confidence is a gradual process. By following the tips mentioned above and creating a safe and supportive environment, you can help your students build their self-esteem and confidence, which will help them in all facets of their life. Take time to listen to your students and understand their interests and passions. Encourage them to try new things and explore their strengths. With the right guidance, your students will grow in confidence and beyond!

Keep Reading

• 4 Reasons Why Kids Struggle with Confidence
• 5 Easy Ways to Boost Confidence
• Confidence Affirmation Acitivity
• 3 Analogies to Help Kids Understand Confidence