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NOW CLOSED: Win £100 John Lewis voucher with The Lion Inside

(280 Posts)
KatGransnet (GNHQ) Thu 09-Jun-16 10:41:18

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.

mbody Fri 10-Jun-16 11:39:03

Tell them often how clever they are and always make time to listen to them.

angiem32 Fri 10-Jun-16 12:30:29

I like to give them a decision, instead of never giving them options - things such as where to go on a day out, what they'd like for dinner and what clothes to buy for them too - from a selection of options of course.
I think it is so important to give them freedom of choice as this supports the fact they can do things from a young age and gives them the confidence to speak up for themselves

greenfinger5 Fri 10-Jun-16 12:51:35

Lots & lots of praise and i would tell someone else who would praise them too.

valseal Fri 10-Jun-16 13:37:38

What would you do if?....Lots of fun and talking about their thoughts, possibilities and confidence.

linkappa Fri 10-Jun-16 14:08:00

Ask them to do small tasks that you know they can do well and praise them when they succeed.

TracyKNixon Fri 10-Jun-16 14:11:31

Try to expose your child to a wide variety of activities, and encourage him when he finds something he really loves. Kids who have a passion -- whether it's dinosaurs or cooking -- feel proud of their expertise and are more likely to be successful in other areas of their life. Quirky hobbies may be particularly helpful for children who have a hard time fitting in at school -- and you can also help your child take advantage of his interest to connect with other kids. For example, if your son likes to draw but most of the boys in his class are into sports, encourage him to do sports drawings. Or he could put together a book of his artwork and show it to the class.

contactghalib Fri 10-Jun-16 14:23:23

Give them an activity to do like swimming or boxing lesson like my young ones and they will grow as they see other kids their age do the same.

miep Fri 10-Jun-16 14:35:06

Listen. Never condemn their choices, but ask them what they hope to achieve by their actions. If it turns out badly, comfort them and gently steer them the next time - children need you to affirm their choices. Obviously don't let them do something dangerous to their health/safety/general rules. Never make them feel that you are more clever that they are; simply point out that you have been around longer, so have had to make more decisions and, with luck, you've learned from them.Try to explain the rules of an ordered society, point out that everyone is different and when people get together, sometimes the little voice is the correct one, not the person who shouts the loudest/has most 'friends'/wears the weirdest clothes/etc. Ask them to always tell them if they are being bullied, in school or out - they might not have realised that you, as well as their parents, can step in (and that you might have more time). Show them how to explore any opportunity, whether in the park, swimming pool or elsewhere. Tell them that they can become anything they want, but free choice requires more effort, so it's no good saying 'I can't do maths' for example. All problems have different solutions so if they can't 'do' fractions, perhaps working out ratios makes more sense to them.

Above all,smile and enjoy yourselves,your grandchildren will grow up even faster that your children did! sunshine

bridge16 Fri 10-Jun-16 14:37:42

Let them talk for themselves to other adults when they are asked questions and dont try to talk and answer for them :-)

prwilson Fri 10-Jun-16 14:42:24

Don't talk down to them or patronise them and be quick to genuinely praise them for good behaviour.

janeyf Fri 10-Jun-16 14:46:59

Encouragement for their achievements help boosts confidence - eg if their spelling or maths improve or any skill they acquire. Telling them how well they are doing, how proud you are and giving the occasional small reward - makes a difference I think

jt75 Fri 10-Jun-16 15:05:13

Listen and give praise.

Marmight Fri 10-Jun-16 15:06:04

Just have fun with them and do things with them that they would not normally do! I rarely see my gc's and we all just want to be together and have a jolly, happy time making the most of being together. I am sure their parents and teachers are instilling them with confidence!

floorflock Fri 10-Jun-16 15:26:30

Try to remember how important the 'little things' were to you at that age. Encourage individualism and achievements no matter how small. Remind them constantly how proud you are of them, they need to feel good about themselves in order to feel confident. Make them feel that they can achieve whatever it is but that it's ok if we don't achieve everything immediately, things come over time.

tabbaz Fri 10-Jun-16 15:32:04

Safe choices - give your children safe choices, they then get the confidence to make decisions and feel in control whilst actually you have made sure that the decisions are all safe ones

freefan Fri 10-Jun-16 15:49:49

being very enthusiastic when they manage to do something for themselves and allowing them the freedom to try in the first place and be there to pick them up with lots of cuddle until they manage smile also getting down to their height when engaging with them is so much nicer

stefalfie11 Fri 10-Jun-16 15:55:31

Praise them freqently but only when its due, whilst you should praise the things they do right if you begin to praise every little thing then the praise itself starts to lose its meaning. By praising only when its really due, it doesnt lose its meaning and increases their self confidence when it does occur.

Ara Fri 10-Jun-16 16:09:33

my top tips for helping my children with confidence issues is to praise them, encourage them to say how they feel and to help them selves be their own best friend.

muffin29 Fri 10-Jun-16 16:22:21

Talk to them as if they are just as important as an adult is.

lizd31 Fri 10-Jun-16 16:28:24

encourage them to mix with other children from a very young age & make sure they're not afraid to talk to you about any problems

nettymay Fri 10-Jun-16 16:39:54

Give them your time, read stories and cuddle often

Janedin Fri 10-Jun-16 16:57:08

Do not criticise or put them down. Nurture them like you would a flower and they will bloom. Drama is a good subject to gain confidence building

Hilltopgran Fri 10-Jun-16 17:02:53

Be consistent, kind and patient in your own actions and words, avoid confusing a small child with adult reactions.

wallers5 Fri 10-Jun-16 17:03:41

Praise them when they do something good. Cuddle them. Apologise if you lose your temper & explain to them if you are overtired.

hiddenmichelle Fri 10-Jun-16 17:46:48

Listen (really listen to them) - not whilst doing something else - make them feel valued and important