Health Tip: Building Your Child's Self-Esteem

Help her feel good about herself

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(HealthDay News) -- Proper self-esteem can help your children make healthier decisions and avoid negative pressures. Children with good self-esteem also have an easier time dealing with problems and conflicts, the Nemours Foundation says.

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Here are the foundation's suggestions for building self-esteem in your child:

• Praise your child for the effort she's made, rather than the outcome.
• Redirect your child's irrational perceptions of herself.
• Be very affectionate with your child -- give her lots of spontaneous hugs and encouraging notes.
• Be truthful in your feedback, but try to highlight the positive.
• Encourage her to participate in activities that encourage cooperation, rather than competition.

-- Diana Kohnle