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.

Help your child develop a positive body image

Average read time: 4mins read

Help your child develop a positive body image Follow these icebreaker tips

What would you like to learn more about?

Show filter Hide filter

I am looking for

for the age groups

( 42 items )

A secret code for your mother daughter relationship
How a codeword can improve communication with your teen daughter, helping you offer relationship advice & strengthening your mother daughter relationship.

Average read time: 5mins read

It can be hard for a teenage girl to chat to her mom – or anyone – about a sensitive issue. A mother daughter private code may help her talk when she’s feeling awkward or unhappy.
Alexa

Average read time: 0min read
Alexis

Average read time: 0min read

Almost 13 years ago when she was seven, Alexa participated in the world’s first Dove self-esteem film, produced in Toronto.
Amazing Me: Boosting young people’s self-esteem
We’ve partnered with Discovery Education to create Amazing Me – a collection of confidence-building activities for children.

Average read time: 3mins read

The Dove Self-Esteem Project has partnered with Discovery Education to create self-esteem and anti-bullying activities for elementary students.
Be Real: the campaign for body confidence
The Dove Self-Esteem Project & Be Real Campaign support parents & teachers to increase self worth in teens & young women, helping them feel more body confident

Average read time: 3mins read

At Dove, we're committed to making beauty a source of confidence, not anxiety. That’s why we're a founding partner of the Be Real Campaign – a national movement formed in response to the Reflections on Body Image report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Body Image. Together, we are campaigning to change attitudes to body image, put health above appearance, and help all of us be confident in our bodies.
Beat the Body Shamers
Help your teen defy body shamers and boost their self-esteem

Average read time: 6mins read

Whether it's 'size 000', the 'thigh gap' or the 'ab crack', it seems that every few months brings a disturbing new thinness trend. How can you prevent your child being drawn into social media's latest body obsessions and encourage them to put their health and wellbeing above body perfectionism?
Body talk and positive body image for kids
We’re talking body talk and how to build positive body image in kids – join us.

Average read time: 4mins read

If you’re wondering how to build self-esteem in children, find out more about body talk, being a role model and boosting confidence.