Hi Present Not Perfect fam,
As a therapist and teacher team, we've seen firsthand how crucial it is for children to develop a strong sense of self and learn to treat themselves with kindness from an early age. 💗
Why This Matters:
Research shows us that children who learn to be true to themselves and practice self-love are more resilient, confident, and better equipped to handle life's inevitable challenges. 💪
Dr. Kristin Neff, self-compassion expert, tells us that “one of the most pervasive findings of the research literature is that self-compassion leads to authenticity because when we aren’t dependent on the approval of others for our self-worth, we are free to express our true selves.”
Here are some simple yet powerful ways to support your child embrace their authentic self and practice self-compassion:
- Celebrate Uniqueness: Encourage your child to embrace their quirks and individual interests. There's no one "right" way to be! 🤗
- Model Self-Compassion: Let your child see you being kind to yourself when you make mistakes. This shows them it's okay to be imperfect. 🥰
- Encourage Emotional Expression: Create a safe space for your child to express all emotions, reinforcing that feelings aren't "good" or "bad" - they're all valid. 💯
- Practice Positive Self-Talk: Help your child develop a kind inner voice. Instead of "I'm bad at this," try "I'm still learning." The power of yet is directly explored in our Gardening kit all about Growth Mindset.
Remember, fostering authenticity and self-love is an ongoing journey. Our 🧚Fairies & Dragons Sensory Kit🐉 offers engaging, hands-on activities and an included SEL mini resource guide on the topic of Authenticity if you want to learn more! (Lexi: link kit)
By supporting your child's authentic self, you're giving them a foundation for lifelong emotional well-being. 🧠 💗
Warmly,
Abbie & Emily 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏼♀️