How to Build Confidence in Kids While Doing Activities

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Finding ways to build your kids confidence can be tough. I have put together some of my best tips how to build confidence in kids while we do activities together.

It’s little things that go a long ways that you can do in your regular day.

Confidence is a fickle thing. Its hard for me, as an adult, to be confident.

I had braces growing up. No head gear, but the whole works. Expander, retainer, braces, more retainer. Then I failed to keep the retainer on and my bottom teeth became super crooked again.

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Henry is going to need braces too. On the day he was born, the doctor told me that. He had a huge overbite right off the bat. It didn’t surprise me, I had the same.

So braces are in his future and I remember so much how much fun they really weren’t. They really did. They were a huge pain to take care of. I don’t really remember me feeling self-conscious because of them, though I’m sure I did, I was never overly confident, still am not. I want Henry to grow up with confidence so anything that provides that for him, I am game (to a certain extent obviously).

This past year, I decided to correct my teeth once again. This time, using Invisalign, who is graciously sponsoring this post, tell them thanks! I went to a conference last year, they were there and talked about the reasons to straighten your teeth. We always think cosmetics. But its beyond that. Crooked teeth hold little nooks and crannies for plaque to build up in. I am notorious for having cavities, so that was my selling point. Because they were also virtually ‘invisible’ is what made me actually take the step to do it.

I searched for an Invisalign-trained Doctor in my area with the highest rating of experience and gave them a call to begin my journey last January. Now at the end of September, my bottom teeth are completely straightened and my top teeth have just another two sets of trays (2 weeks a piece).

When I got my Invisalign aligners, I instagrammed it here, can you tell? I also have gone to conferences, even speaking at a conference, with Invisalign, and nobody would know if I hadn’t told everyone. I even got new headshots done recently, and left my aligners in for it (you remove them to eat and such, for up to 2 hours per day).

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I don’t think you can tell that I am wearing Invisalign braces, can you?

I didn’t realize how soon I should be taking Henry to get checked for braces. Even though I know he needs them, I haven’t taken him to be checked and started on the process yet. And that day is coming sooner than I think! He’s already 6 and the American Association of Orthodontics recommended to take them at age 7.

The American Association of Orthodontics recommends taking children for their first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. The American Dental Association says this is because, “Your child’s dentist can spot problems with emerging teeth and jaw growth early on, while the primary teeth are present.

Building kids confidence is already hard enough to do with all the sports, academics, kindness, etc that they’re all supposed to be so good at doing at such a young age. How do you build that confidence, and then keep it up?

My plan is to use Invisalign with the kids if they need it. Not to help build their confidence, but to keep it up and not to destroy it. There’s a whole slew of information on the Invisalign website about how they do teen treatment.

Virtually invisible aligners, mean there is less social awkwardness to impact child’s confidence and self-esteem during an already vulnerable time. There’s no need for kids to hold back or feel they’re missing out on anything when straightening their teeth with Invisalign.

Along with Invisalign, there’s many things I do with my kids while we’re doing activities to help pump them up a little.

Give them that confidence boost that makes them feel good about themselves.

 7 Tips for Build Confidence in Kids While Doing Activities

1. Focus on what the child already knows and expand, just a little, on that in a learning activity. If he knows the letters B, D, and G, focus on those and add in letter E for the activity! If he really needs the confidence boost, only do the letter B, D and G, over and over again, get him excited about how much he knows.
2. Make it doable. The more simple an activity it is, the more likely she’ll have success and feel good about it.
3. Make it about the process and how he does the activity. Not about the end product. Always love the end product know matter how it turns out. But the process is what we should be excited about. Be excited when he finds a new tool to use to paint with, or a new way to use his paintbrush. Be excited about the how, not the what. And also just focus on him. Is he happy doing it? Is he enjoying the time? Take in the smiles and take a moment to just enjoy the time you’re spending with him.
4. Do it with them. If its a little out of her comfort zone, sit right next to her, or have her sit on your lap, and literally do it right along with her. Working on it together.
5. Give him a job! Make them doable for his age, of course. But knowing that he can help out and do his part plays a big part in confidence. Ask him to help set up the activity, or put something away when you’re done. He’ll love cleaning up with a wet rag and a bucket of water.
6. Don’t criticize. Don’t ever point out what she did wrong. Look at what she’s doing right instead. Shut your mouth. Remember what mom always told us, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. That rings true for us as parents too. Look at the activity as half full, at all times.
7. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Do activities over and over again. Repetition is great for kids to learn, but also great on their confidence!

Just being kind in general to your kids goes a long ways. Read this post on Creative with Kids for 100 ways to be kind to your child.

And when, and if, it comes time for the kids to get braces, Invisalign can help with your confidence too! Not only will a gorgeous smile of straight teeth build their confidence, but the process of getting straight teeth without anyone knowing it will help!

Even thought Henry has a major overbite, like I did, Invisalign still has the power to correct that, just like traditional braces.

Invisalign effectively treats a wide variety of orthodontic issues including severe bite issues. From underbite to crossbite, deepbite to overbite and overly crowded to widely spaced, advancements to Invisalign’s patented technology continues to increase the complexity of issues that can be treated.

How do you build your child’s confidence?

You may also like to read this post on A Mom With a Lesson Plan about building kids’ self esteem.

More information on Invisalign can be found at the following:

• Smile Assessment – Is Invisalign Right for You?
• Find a Doc
• How do I Get It?
• Treatment Process
• Questions For Your Doctor

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