Between the ages of 3 and 5, kids start to understand who they are and how they fit into the world. This is the perfect time to nurture their confidence, helping them feel valued, recognize their strengths, and believe in themselves.
Parents and caregivers at the preschool in Olney, MD support shy children or those struggling to make friends by working with them and helping them understand they’re not alone—many kids feel scared or uncertain at times. When your child plays and learns with other kids who are going through the same things, they build social and mental strength. It boosts their confidence when they make friends and do things independently.
Self-confidence is very important for kids because it affects their willingness to try new things, take chances, and keep going even when life gets tough. Kids who feel good about themselves are more likely to pay attention in class, make friends, and try new things. This confidence makes them strong, which helps them get back up even after failing and learn from their mistakes.
There is evidence that when children regularly engage in creative activities, especially with their parents, it directly affects their self-esteem. This relationship has nothing to do with how talented the child is. Everyday practice is all it takes!
There are many ways that imagination and confidence are connected. However, when children do art regularly, a number of things happen in their lives, many of which help them feel better about themselves and boost their confidence!
Being creative is fun. The drive to create art is a natural part of being human, and there’s nothing quite like the pride of finishing a piece! Kids experience this all the time—just think about how they eagerly run to show their parents a new drawing. That sense of pride only grows as their artistic journey continues.
Self-confidence is an important part of your child’s good growth in all areas and a key factor in how well they do in school. Here are just some of the ways a preschool in Olney can help your child build their confidence.
Playing and learning on your own is a great way to boost your confidence. Kids at the Olney preschool need to be able to choose how they want to play. This is a normal and necessary part of their growth. Allow kids to play on their own a lot of the time. You and your child can play together, and you can switch roles and let your kid be the “director.” Get them to think about what they might want to use and how they might make the play happen. Ask them about the specifics of their choices, and then let them decide what will happen next and how things will turn out. Asking open-ended questions during play can help kids show this kind of leadership.
Art is a fun way to boost your child’s confidence. When they are making art or other creative projects, children can think about what they like, come up with ideas, and make decisions. These are the things that make you feel good about yourself. So, give your kids some room to think about what they want to do, and then let them craft!
The great thing about letting kids get creative is that projects don’t have to be planned. In fact, not having a plan is a great way to spark creativity and give kids more chances to express themselves and make their own choices.
How can we make sure our kids feel strong even when they fail or don’t reach their goals? To help, we can work on being proud of each other and ourselves and think about what went well instead of what went exactly as planned. You can help your child grow by telling them that just because they didn’t complete their goals doesn’t mean they failed. For example, if they are sad that they lost, talk to them about finishing what they were playing and doing their best. Use words to encourage them to keep trying and to be proud of the effort they put into it.
Part of being self-confident is seeing the worth in the way we do things as well as the results. We can help our kids understand this by noticing and appreciating their efforts and by encouraging them to enjoy the present moment instead of dwelling on a specific goal. This could be as simple as telling them you can see their hard work. It could also involve asking them questions about the effort they are putting into a project, like whether they are having fun with what they are doing.
Set up an area where kids can try new things, fail, and learn from their mistakes. Encourage people to be curious and give them chances to do things with their hands, like going on nature walks or doing science projects. This will make them more curious, push them to explore, and help them learn how to take risks and deal with problems.
Show kids how to express themselves creatively through art, music, dance, and stories. Let them freely explore their hobbies and say what they want. Give them art supplies, musical instruments, or story props to help them communicate and express themselves creatively.
Set up a safe space where kids can take chances, share their ideas, and show off their work without worrying about being judged. Give them positive comments and constructive criticism to help them feel better about themselves. Honor their work, stress the process over the result, and create a group that supports them and values creativity and self-expression.
Knowing we are loved just as we are gives us the foundation to grow into a confident and mentally healthy person. When we give our children unconditional and indisputable love, we allow them to see themselves as good and pleasant individuals. When we love our children and show them how much we care about them, we create a world in which they feel valued. And that is where confidence emerges.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.