Building confidence in kids can be as simple as letting them crack a few eggs and mix their way through a kitchen adventure. Just like navigating kitchen mishaps—think broken shells in the batter and all—kids can learn to embrace mistakes and build resilience. And, much like cooking can help grow confidence, with practice and the right ingredients, your child can empower themselves with self-belief to maintain a positive mindset and embrace their unique strengths.
Check out these must-have additions to your child's library, providing them with the tools to whip up a hearty serving of self-esteem and confidence.
You Are Awesome: Find Your Confidence and Dare to be Brilliant at (Almost) Anything, by Matthew Syed (Ages 9-12)
Author Matthew Syed knows a thing or two about building confidence. This two-time Olympian takes tried and true methods for maintaining a positive mindset and packages them up in ways that are easy for kids and teens to relate to. The bottomline: the path to “awesomeness” is open to everyone!
Just about every kid can relate to Millie, the girl who makes a million mistakes. Through a series of funny and heartwarming events, kids follow along with Millie on a day where just about everything goes wrong. Through it all, Millie learns the importance of resilience, problem-solving, and believing in herself. It's a perfect read for young readers who need a reminder that it's okay to mess up and that even the biggest mistakes can lead to amazing successes!
In this book, kids meet a group of amazing girls who face challenges just like them! Filled with inspiring stories about courage, friendship, and self-confidence, this book shows that we are all amazing and unique in our own ways. Each story features kids that teach the importance of self-confidence, learning from mistakes without being discouraged, and never giving up on your dreams. With beautiful illustrations, this book is perfect for young readers who want to feel empowered and inspired.
I Can Do Hard Things: Mindful Affirmations for Kids, by Gabi Garcia (Ages 3-7)
Help your child build a positive mindset with I Can Do Hard Things! This colorful and engaging book introduces kids to the power of mindful affirmations. With beautiful illustrations and relatable examples, it teaches young readers how to overcome challenges, believe in themselves, and embrace their unique strengths. It's a perfect tool for parents and teachers who want to foster resilience and positivity in children.
My Magical Words proves that ‘I am’ statements are a powerful tool to help children boost their confidence and self-esteem. With examples like, ‘I am strong!’, ‘I am loved!’, ‘I am special!’, and, ‘I am kind!’, author Becky Cummings not only introduces kids to a slew of positive words and affirmations, but also provides charming rhymes to make confidence a fun adventure.
I Can't Do That, YET: Growth Mindset, by Ester Pia Cordova (Ages 6-10)
When it comes to teaching children how to embrace their potential and tackle anything that may come their way, I Can’t Do That, YET is a parent favorite. Kids follow along as Enna embarks on a magical journey where she learns to transform self-doubt into self-belief, discovering that time, effort, and learning are all tools she can use to achieve her dreams.
Confidence is My Superpower is an uplifting story that empowers children to embrace self-confidence as their ultimate superpower. By following little Leonardo's journey from self-doubt to self-assurance, your child will learn the invaluable lesson that failures are merely steps on the road to success. This book gently encourages kids to harness the power of positive affirmations and nurture a resilient, can-do attitude, making it an essential addition to any young reader's library.