By Letam Wiwa
Self confidence is when you believe in yourself and trust yourself. Building self-confidence in teens is crucial for their development, helping them navigate challenges and achieve their potential.
Start by encouraging them to set realistic, small goals; this allows them to experience success and build a sense of accomplishment.
Celebrate their achievements, no matter how small, to reinforce their belief in their abilities. Teaching them to recognise their unique strengths and talents, and how these contribute to their identity, is essential for developing self-worth.
Encourage your teen to try new activities and hobbies that interest them. Learning new skills and mastering tasks—like sports, music, or art—builds self-efficacy and resilience, qualities that feed into their confidence.
Guide them in managing negative self-talk and promote positive self-affirmation, helping them replace doubts with empowering thoughts.
Support their independence and let them make decisions, even if mistakes happen. Mistakes are a natural part of growth, and learning to overcome setbacks reinforces a resilient mindset.
Surround them with positive role models and friends who value them for who they are, not just what they achieve. Building confidence is a gradual process, but with ongoing support, teens can develop a strong foundation of self-belief and feel prepared to face life’s challenges.
Letam is of Premier International School, Wuse 2, Abuja
