Last updated: 29 September 2026
For a child to be fit, active, participative and immaculate, it is important that his emotional well being is stable. It is extremely important that children feel happy about their life and its occasions. If not, it can affect the future events of his life.
As parents you should know that your behavior, reactions and interactions with the child play a critical role in shaping a child’s personality. This indirectly results into the emotional stability or imbalance in a child’s behavior and thus affects his self-esteem.
How can you develop self-esteem in your child?
1. Communicate and appreciate: Communicate with your child in a way that he can share all problems or joy with you without fear. Help him overcome with his mistakes by suggesting ways to improve the same. Appreciate their work in front of relatives so that they know what is good.
2. Be a role model: Think of the qualities that your child’s role model should possess and be that person. Let your child know about the good in you so that he can attain the same. Do things that make you and your child feel good. Spare time.
3. Support and show concern: Your support and encouragement is a key factor for your child’s achievements. Be a motivator and show concern for the things he participates in. Guide him the right way to crack it through.
This will in return make a child happy and confident about his good deeds.
Self-esteem is built in ordinary moments, and very often in the exact words we choose. At Mastermind Abacus, we see that children feel safer trying new things when the adults around them respond with patience. The table below shows five common situations at home and how a small change in words can help. Confidence also grows alongside the life skills every child should develop before turning 13.
| Everyday moment | Words that build confidence | Words that can hurt it |
|---|---|---|
| Low marks in a test | “Let’s see which parts were tricky and plan how to practise them.” | “Why can’t you ever score well?” |
| Child shows a drawing | “I like the colours you chose. Tell me about it.” | “Fine, fine. Now go and study.” |
| A mistake in homework | “Mistakes show us what to learn next. Let’s try it once more together.” | “How careless! You never check your work.” |
| Comparison with a cousin or sibling | “You have improved a lot since last month.” | “Look at your cousin, he always does better.” |
| Nervous about a new activity | “It is okay to feel nervous. Let’s take one small step.” | “Don’t be silly, there is nothing to be afraid of.” |
The above mentioned are the views of those parents who did not apply these ways in bringing up their kids and saw things not happening as they were supposed to be. Do not be a flock of such parents.
What does self-esteem mean for a child?
Self-esteem is how a child feels about themselves, whether they believe they are capable and worthy of love. A child with healthy self-esteem tries new things, accepts mistakes without shame and recovers after a setback. It grows through everyday experiences at home rather than through one big event.
When should I start building my child's self-esteem?
Start as early as possible, because even young children notice tone, smiles and reactions long before they understand words. Warm attention, patient listening and small responsibilities lay the base. It is never too late, though, since children of every age respond to genuine encouragement from their parents.
Is praising my child every day good for self-esteem?
Praise helps when it is honest and specific. Saying "You kept trying that puzzle even when it was hard" builds more confidence than a general "You are so smart". Constant praise for everything can start to sound empty, so appreciate effort and progress, not only marks or results.
My child gets upset after every mistake. What should I do?
Stay calm and show that mistakes are a normal part of learning. Ask your child what could be tried differently, and share a mistake of your own. Avoid scolding in front of others. For more everyday guidance, read our parenting tips for primary school kids.
Can weak maths affect a child's confidence?
It can. Children spend many hours on numbers at school, and repeated struggles may make them feel "I am just not good at this". Small, achievable wins help rebuild belief. If fear of numbers is the real issue, our post on why children are scared of maths is a helpful place to begin.
Can abacus classes help my child feel more confident?
Abacus can support confidence, though results vary from child to child. Moving up level by level and solving sums mentally gives children a clear sense of progress (see how abacus training supports a child's IQ and EQ). Abacus is an educational activity, not a therapy; if low confidence or worry continues, please consult a qualified professional. You can also explore Mastermind's online abacus classes.
Start today! Your child’s self-esteem is essential for him to gain a social identity and for achieving success.
Mastermind Abacus, being an education company would appreciate you for taking every possible effort to make your child proficient in every field.
Author – Mr. Naveen Chowdhari
Naveen Chowdhari is the Founder & Director of Mastermind Abacus, a leading name in children’s mental math and brain development training. By blending traditional abacus methods with modern teaching techniques, he has created an innovative system that enhances children’s concentration, memory, visualization, speed, and overall cognitive skills. Under his leadership, Mastermind Abacus now provides worldwide online abacus classes and has built a strong global franchise network, making quality brain-development education accessible across the world.
Last Updated: 29 September 2026
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