The 7 C's of Resilience - Confidence

Confidence

Why is confidence so important? It feels good, of course, to know that you can do something well. But confidence is especially critical to children because it is necessary to navigating childhood and adolescence successfully and safely. That journey involves taking risks at every step of the way-risks in walking into a new school for the first time, trying to make friends, or looking foolish by speaking up in class or not making the team. Without solid confidence, children won't take necessary risks. If they have an unrealistic, hollow sense of confidence, they may take chances recklessly. But authentic confidence, which they have earned by demonstrating competence, assures children that they have some power over their environments. They are more likely to persevere and have an optimistic outlook instead of feeling passive or powerless. Confidence earned during childhood and adolescence will be a springboard toward success in adult life.

Confidence needs support and reinforcement. We can do this in 3 basic ways-catch them being good, offer genuine praise, and set reasonable expectations.

The 7 C's of Resilience

Home

Excerpted from the AAP Patient Education brochure, "Helping Your Child Cope With Life" published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Copyright © 2006 American Academy of Pediatrics. All rights reserved.