Raising a Confident Toddler

Watching your little one grow in confidence is one of the most rewarding parts of parenting. A confident toddler feels secure, curious, and ready to face the world - and it’s a gift that can set them up for a lifetime of resilience and self-belief. Research shows that a strong sense of confidence early on is linked to better social skills, emotional health, and even academic success later in life.

Building confidence in children involves creating an environment, where they trust in themselves and their own capability, but also have a sense that it’s ok when things don’t go to plan.  Closely linked is the importance of embracing imperfection.  In a world of false imagery and unrealistic standards, we have to model the idea that life is messy, imperfect and beautiful just the way it is.

Enveloping all of this, we must explicitly express our unconditional love for our children. Children thrive from hearing that they are loved regardless of their achievements, abilities or behaviours.  Giving them this consistent message helps them develop that inner sense of self-worth, fostering confidence that endures through life’s ups and downs.

Here are some simple, practical ways to help your child build confidence from an early age:

1. Exploring through Free Play: Giving your toddler the freedom to explore safely is incredibly empowering. Letting them make choices during play helps spark creativity and independence, showing them you trust their abilities. A child who feels trusted feels confident!

2. Helping Out with Simple Chores: Toddlers love feeling helpful, and involving them in small tasks like putting away toys or wiping the table boosts their sense of responsibility.

3. Praising Their Efforts, Not Just the Results: Recognise and celebrate their hard work rather than only the outcome. Saying things like, “You really worked hard to stack those blocks!” helps them value effort and see their own strengths, which is key to building self-belief.

4. Embrace Everyday Challenges Together: Activities like puzzles or building blocks are perfect for teaching persistence.  Learning to not give up at the first challenge or set-back is an important life skill. Confidence is actually more about being resilient enough to keep trying, than succeeding at everything all the time.

5. Encourage All forms of Creativity: Role Play or making up stories lets toddlers explore their imagination, express their emotions, and build language skills. Simple creative activities like drawing or crafting are wonderful ways for toddlers to express themselves and feel a sense of accomplishment. Music encourages self expression and social confidence.

6. Get Moving with Physical Activities: Physical play, like dancing, jumping, or climbing, helps toddlers understand their bodies and build a sense of confidence in their own abilities. Physical achievements, no matter how small, give them a powerful sense of strength and confidence.

As you support your toddler’s confidence, remember it’s not just about making them feel good in the moment; you’re equipping them with an inner strength that will guide them through life. Each small act of encouragement helps them build a foundation to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally - and that’s a gift that lasts a lifetime.

This article was written by Our Parenting Journeys for the November 2024 edition of Kids-Zone . Kids-Zone is a quarterly family focused online magazine containing information about activities for all ages of children, throughout Geneva and Vaud.

If you feel like you need more resources or support in dealing with your toddler, including strategies for behaviour and with self esteem and confidence, get in touch for a free exploration call and more information on 1-2-1 consultations.