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My daughter carries in her pocket a little toy Lioness, and when she feels as if she is struggling, (she is very nervous of meeting new people and having to talk out loud) she holds the Lioness and feels confident, I told her that the Lioness, is always calm, but when she needs to be, she can become fearless, and it seems to be working xx

My tip for the day.
If small children have a particular and ,to us, illogical fear, don't make an issue of it or force them to face up to it. Instead try to use your imagination to find another way round it. My older grandson had a horror of hand driers in public toilets. It wasn't just that he wouldn't use them but his fear was so great that he ran out screaming if someone else used one. It became tricky to take him out anywhere until we invented the character of Dragon Hotbreath, the sad dragon who just wanted to help people but always cried because people were afraid to use his nice warm breath to dry their hands...

always encourage and help them to have a go

Endless love, measured praise, reasoned discipline - help them understand their unique and valued contribution to the world in which they live.

Talk to them about anything and everything. Listen to what they have to say. Answer their questions. Reassure them.

Don't criticise them in front of others. It can lead to insecurities later on, especially in sensitive children. It's amazing how many parents talk negatively about their children right in front of them.

Make sure that what you give them to do is achievable
Don't say they are naughty but what they did was
Love, praise and encouragement

Love them for who they are, listen to what they are not saying as much as to what they are.

No question is wrong and you should never allow your children to feel embarrassed to speak to you. If a child comes to you with an age-inappropriate question try to answer it to the best of your ability - even if it's not fully answering it. This will prevent them from looking elsewhere such as the internet. Never let arguments fester - kids should always know you love them even when they are in trouble. Actually, really strong parenting boundaries encourage this. My daughter is now 12 and she understands that the boundaries I put in place were for her own good. Finally, always be parent first, friend very much second. As a parent you are in such a priviliged position that you should be the first person your children come to when they need something.

Always have time to listen - then don't pass judgement.

always be encouraging, never belittle their dreams

The first step to a confident child is a confident parent. Build up your own confidence and your child will follow suit

Listen to and speak to them as mini adults

Listen to children, don't talk down to them and make sure they know their opinion is valued. I think security and stability are essential in making children feel confident, as well as encouragement and reassurance that so long as they do their best then you can ask for nothing more.

Lots of encouragement and a nice stable homelife... I think this is what is causing lots of the problems these days!

Let them learn from mistakes and support the learning! It's ok to make them- everybody does! It's what you do with it :-)

Explain that you love them that you will always be here to listen and not criticise. Children need love warmth and understanding give them your presence not 'presents' use laughter and humour and a spoon ful of happiness to make them laugh and make their day!

Make them feel safe, don't pander to them and show them how to make friends. Mostly they need love

Lots of praise and making time to listen

Just tell them how great there are, how precious they are. Cheer for every little achievement! And just love them and squizee every night!

Never discourage them and even when they are struggling and its easier to do things yourself eg dressing give them encouragemtn and let them do at own pace. Tell them everyday how much you love them and encourage them to express their feelings

I'm very aware when my children need extra attention, especially in areas they aren't as confident. I find praising them, and rewarding them is a real confidence boost.

Don't complicate things - don't talk down to children (try to lower yourself if needs be to keep eye contact during dicussions) - try to praise a lot more than you criticise, and if you do need to, try to use constructive criticism and give them the chance to speak whilst you listen - talking 'at' them rather than 'with' them will only bring negativity. I also think it's important to make yourself available so that the children know they can approach you, ask questions, put their point of view forward etc. Show trust and respect and chances are you will have respoectful and trustworthy children

Always reinforce when they do something well or right and don't use negative language around them.

It all starts with praise i think, and even if they have't got something quite right, found something within that task they did to praise them for first and then say but maybe we could change (whatever it is) this next time.so they always hear the positive and then dont mine the change part. It builds their confidence greatly.