From time to time, you may hear children say negative things about themselves. This can be concerning, as children should have high levels of self-esteem. It is important to understand where this talk comes from and how caregivers should respond. If you are able to keep a close eye on your child, you may have a better idea of what to watch for.
In a lot of situations, kids will say something bad about themselves when something disappointing happens. It is common among young kids who haven’t developed appropriate coping skills.
If you notice this is going on, how should you respond? The first thing you should do is ask questions. A few examples include:
Why are you saying that about yourself?
Do you know anyone who shares your feelings?
If you could change something about the issue, what would you change?
Who can you ask for help?
Learn more about why kids engage in negative self-talk about themselves and how you can build an empowering child with this article on Understood.org!