Building self-esteem
Do you want to boost your child’s self-esteem? Use our practical articles and activities to help your daughter or son develop a positive body image, and worry less about how their looks compare with others.
Young people change enormously during adolescence, and sometimes their self-esteem suffers. As a parent, you want to help your child feel good about themselves, and having positive conversations about appearance is an important part of that.
You need to be tuned in to your child's changing needs, and help them develop an empowered attitude to their looks. You can also raise their confidence by discouraging them from comparing themselves with others, whether friends, classmates or people in the media.
Focusing on who they are as a person, and their relationships with family and friends, will reduce negative body talk. We’ve compiled these articles and activities to help your child make that shift – and to give you some ideas on how to support them.
So start reading and sharing today – and help boost your child's confidence.
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![Uniquely Me resources for parents]()
As a parent, it’s natural to want the best for your child – for them to be happy, healthy and confident individuals.
But that’s sometimes easier said than done, especially during the teen and pre-teen years when their bodies are changing, their self-confidence is fragile and they are trying to make that tricky transition out of childhood.
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positive talk
talking topics
female stereotypes
role models
body image
looks and appearance
self-esteem
psychology
behaviour change
parent
8 to 16 years
Body talk: the power of words for a positive body imageDo you often make negative comments about your weight or appearance? What's the impact on your child? Find out how to fight fat talk and build self-esteem.Talking about our bodies is like an unwritten rule in female friendship – many of us do it constantly and automatically: "I feel fat in these jeans," "I’ve put on so much weight," or "Gosh, my skin looks awful today." Talking about your looks might seem like a way to bond with your child and friends, but it’s worth considering what effect it could have.
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![Confident Me]()
Click here to watch our range of Confident Me training videos – all designed to help you deliver self-esteem workshops successfully.
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![Single session workshop]()
Teacher resources for our single session Dove Confident Me programme – all you need to run a one-off body-confidence workshop.
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![Five session teaching resources]()
Our Confident Me body-confidence teaching materials explore influences on young people's body image and self-esteem.
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![Dove Self-Esteem Project in action]()
talking topics
looks and appearance
teaching
mentor
youth leader
teacher
parent
8 to 16 years
The Dove Self-Esteem Project: Our Mission in ActionFind out how the Dove Self-Esteem project is helping young people reach their full life potential by delivering quality body confidence and self-esteem education.It's a shocking fact that eight out of 10 girls are so concerned about body image that they opt out of important life activities.
