How To Build Your Toddler’s Self-Esteem

Cruel People







The world, children, and people can be cruel. There are those that can beat you emotionally. It is very important to build up your toddlers self-esteem before they enter into Preschool, Headstart, or Daycare. Part of your nurturing as a parent will be to give your toddler as much encouragement and self-confidence as you can.

1. Know that your toddler can never get too much praise or recognition. Praise your toddler for the little things that he or she might do. For example, your toddler picks up an item that you might have dropped on the floor by mistake and he/she hands it to you. Your response might be to thank him/her and tell them they are such a big help to you.

2. When your toddlers draw a picture or attempts to write the alphabet let them know that they did a good job. At some point in time toddlers may tell you that they want to do something themselves. So long as it is not something that will harm them, let them try. No, it might not turn out as perfect as you or I would do it, but it is the attempt that is important. Give your toddlers the praise for trying to do it. You might say, “Your are so smart.” “That was a good idea.” This is encouragement for your toddlers.


You can praise toddler for writing







3. Remember to tell your little girl, “You are so pretty.” Tell your little boy, “You are so handsome.” Watch the delight that comes over their face when you tell them this. There have been many teen-agers and adults that have had low-self esteem because they never had anyone to build them up. Do not forget to kiss your toddlers.



Parents kissing their toddler







4. Always remember to tell your toddlers you love them. Lets take it a step further. It is not enough just to say you love them, give them a hug. Give your toddlers a smile. A smile can do wonders for your toddlers. A smile acknowledges your toddlers and shows you friendly to them. Toddlers are hungry for affection. They need to be touched appropriately. Sometimes, just pat them on the back lightly. Touch is something that will touch every emotional fiber in your toddlers.





Mother hugging her toddler








Captions: Fotosearch.com

How To Live Intentionally

There is no end where your dreams can take you.

Living intentionally is a conscious decision. It is not a coincidence. You need to make good decisions, because bad decisions can cost you. You need to know what it is that you want and what you would like to achieve. It does not do any good to worry, because when you finish worrying your problem still has not been solved. It is very important to take action. You need to do something. You cannot control others, but you do have control over how you react to situations. As long as you are living you can set goals, complete goals, then set new goals when you accomplish the former ones. Planning can be a great help.

1. You can start by setting goals. The goals can be short-termed and long-termed. You should do both, because the long termed goals give you a vision and expectation to reach for. The short term goals will not take as long. When a short term goal is completed, you can feel the satisfaction of knowing that you did it. You will determine the goal that you want and once you accomplish it, you will set other goals.

Examples of long term goals might be, to purchase a house, to go on a vacation, to go on a cruise, or to just save extra money for retirement. You will decide what goal it is that you want to accomplish. This is all about you. Examples of short term goals might be to loose a certain amount of weight in 2 months, to start going to bed early every night, to stop procrastinating, or to go for a daily walk.

2. Once you have decided on your goals, You need to decide what you need to do to accomplish the goal or what amount of money, time or resources might be needed and write this down. Then the long term goals need to be broken down into months, weeks, and days. By doing this it helps you identify what and when you need to be working towards your goals. It also helps so that the long-term goals do not seem so unobtainable and so far away, because you are going to work on it continually. You will also write down the short term goals. When you get up each morning your purpose and what it is you plan to accomplish needs to be written out, because now you have a purpose and an agenda. You should have a daily list. Now when you first start you might not accomplish all of your goals, but that is okay, because then you can take it as a learning experiment and reevaluate you goals to see if they were realistic enough. Above all do not beat yourself up about it.

3. Definitely make a specific deadline for the goals to be complete. Then that will give you a vision and time frame to aim toward.

4. Finally, when a goal is completed be sure to reward yourself. You deserved it. The good thing about that is, that you will decide on the type of reward. Possibly it might be to pamper yourself at a spa, or by yourself chocolate candy, or buy yourself those golf clubs or fishing gear that you have been wanting.

How to Help Your Toddler Adjust to Preschool or Head Start

Children sitting together in preschool



As a parent there are a variety of ways to help your toddler adjust to preschool. You cannot be with him /her 24 hours a day, but you can prepare him/her. You have nurtured him/her and now it is time for your toddler to go out into the world. You never know how your toddler will like preschool. Some children love it while others dislike it and cry when they have to go. Also, toddlers are starting school now at a very young age. Some start as early as 3 years old.

1. Talk to your preschooler before he/she goes to school. Show your toddler that you are confident about them going to school. Maybe take them by the school so they can see it. Explain to them that you still love them, but they are going to be with other children their own age. Listen to your toddler. If a child is crying not wanting to go to school, find out why and assure him/her everything will work out. Show your child that you are confident. If you appear fearful, your toddler will pick up on that and be more afraid.

2. Some toddlers have anxiety from being away from you. Possibly get your toddler used to staying with grandmother/grandfather or a trusted person once or twice a week. This might be good for the parents that do not work. Be sure to let the school and the teacher know if your child has allergies. Make sure they have copies in writing. If there is a conflict with him/her with the new teacher discuss it. Maybe even go and sit in the classroom during school.. Remember every teacher may not have your child’s best interest at heart , even in a Christian school. Several of the schools love to have parent’s volunteer in the classroom.

3. Be sure that your toddler gets enough sleep the night before going to school. This is crucial. He/she needs to be rested to endure the new endeavors that might be before him/her. Possibly you have been allowing your toddler to stay up late at night. If so, this needs to stop. All toddlers all different in regards to the amount of sleep they might need. If your toddler is going to sleep at 9:00 p.m. at night and is still sleepy in the morning, you might want to consider having him/her go to sleep at 8:30 p.m. or even earlier. When a child sleeps that is the time the body restores it’s self .

4. Be sure to give your toddler breakfast before going to school. This is the most important meal of the day. He/she needs that nourishment. Be sure to hug your toddler before leaving for school.

5. Be prepared for the different problems that might show up with your preschooler such as not wanting to go to school, not liking the teacher, or not being able to deal with another child picking on him/her. Address these issues. Talk to your toddler, Listen to your toddler . If another child is picking on your child, that too needs to be addressed. Talk to the teacher and see what can be done. Hopefully that will take care of the matter. If not, go to your principal, and continue higher up the chain of command. It can be devastating for a child that is bullied that early in life. Hopefully, you will not have this problem.