From the creator of the known and loved Bright Side lifestyle brand, Rachel Bright, and illustrator of Oi Frog!, Jim Field, comes a feel good rhyming story about one little mouse trying to make himself heard and discovering along the way that even the smallest of us can have the heart of a lion.
The Lion Inside is perfect for fans of Giraffes Can't Dance. This stylish book from two contemporary stars really is something to shout about - it will make you laugh, cry and want to read it every bedtime.
Share your tips for boosting confidence in small children on this thread below for a chance to win a £100 John Lewis voucher and a signed copy of The Lion Inside.
This competition ends midday on 8 July 2016.
The Lion Inside can be purchased online and from all good booksellers.
Listen to them and praise them whenever possible but more importantly be consistent in whatever you do so they know what to expect. Spend your time with them.
A way to build confidence is role play like a dentist visit, step by step so there's no surprises to the child. They can ask questions about anything there unsure of in the comfort of their home. Its the unknown that creates fear so role-play is very helpful and be done by everyone.
Give them easy tasks to do and shower them with praise,like watering the plants,and giving them their own flower or vegetable to look after,they will feel very proud watching it grow
Let them know that you love them unconditionally . Let them be involved in taking age appropriate decisions, and always listen and respect what they have to say. Encourage them to try lots of activities and support them through their successes and disappointments. Be a confident adult and don't let them see you unable to cope. As a parent you are your child's main role model. Encourage them to take risks and make sure they know that they cannot be good at everything and give them examples of what you are good at & less good at. Be open and honest and encourage your child to talk to you, make time every day for a quiet chat so they know you are always there if needed.
I never talk down to my grandchildren. They enjoy our conversations and if they don't understand a word, I explain. I think of them as 'little people' and I think it builds their confidence by treating them as individuals. If they do something well, I tell them so. If they could do better, I tell them that too.
Find out what interests them and then develop that interest together so that they can become an 'expert' - whether it's knowing about dinosaurs or guinea pigs, riding a bike or baking a cake, nothing increases confidence and self-esteem more than achieving a goal. Learn along with them and make mistakes so that they know that it's okay to get things wrong. Praise their achievements (but not incessantly as it becomes meaningless) and give them small-step challenges so they can keep on developing their skills. Most of all be patient, positive and good-humoured and let them be themselves.
Always take time to listen to them. If they want to try something by themselves like carry their cup of juice into another room or carry a plate then let them what is the worst that can happen? Juice on the floor. As long as it's not dangerous let them have a go. Praise them and never belittle or let anyone else belittle anything they try to do.
Lots of cuddles and listen to what they are saying. When mine were small we used to have a `five minutes` each talk time at the dinner table. I done this to encourage my very shy daughter to actually talk in a group. It did help
Don't label you child e.g. shy as these very often become the way a child perceives themselves, I was constantly told I was shy/quiet as a child and I lacked confidence for years. I always encouraged my children to participate in activities and to try new things and they have all grown into confident adults.
It is important not to criticise small children or put them down. By all means correct them but speak kindly,encourage them to speak by asking questions and explain things clearly and gently. Giving them this experience will help them learn to speak and enquire about the world with confidence and nurture their curiosity, their debating skills and verbalise their point of view.
Very important to support them and encourage when they feel they can't do something then help them take little steps to achievement praising each small step. Lots of little steps make one big achievement.
See the world through their eyes, listen, accept them as they are, help them understand that opinions are just that, they are not fact. Help them accept failure as well as success and not to hang their personal value on success. Think with them about appropriate responsibility particularly help them, to see that they are not responsible for the feelings of others. That it is all right to be who they are.
Say yes more then no. This gives the child a sense that they have some control over their little lives. Also don't let your fears and worries become theirs. If they want to go on the super scary big slide let them atleast time.
Give them some responsibility. Put them in charge of feeding the dog or take them food shopping and get them to find ingredients for a meal of their choosing.