Building self-confidence in children: the NAIS Dublin approach

Why is building self-confidence in children so important?

We know that confident students don’t just perform better – they’re happier and healthier, too.

The research backs this up. Studies show that confident children are much more likely to succeed academically. They’re also more motivated, resilient, and capable of bouncing back from adversity.

When children are confident and secure about who they are, they’re also more likely to have a ‘growth mindset’. This means they’re motivated to take on challenges and engage in new experiences. They’re also more likely to ask for help when they need it.

What is self-confidence?

Self-confidence is believing in ourselves, our ideas, and abilities.

In school, this could be:

Confidence is also about understanding and accepting who you are as a person.

This could be:

What factors can affect a child’s self-confidence?

The importance of confidence can’t be underestimated. But there are many factors that can have a positive or negative affect on a student’s self-esteem. These include:

While good experiences, like doing well on a test, can build self-confidence in children, negative experiences can lower self-esteem. Your child’s confidence may change from day-to-day, too.

How we build self-confidence in children at NAIS Dublin

We want every child to feel positive and confident in their own unique abilities. We also want them to feel comfortable with who they are as individuals.

We strive to improve our children’s self-esteem in two fundamental ways:

1. Creating an environment that brings out the best in every child

As a school, we work hard to create an environment where every child feels comfortable, included, and inspired. 

Home to students from more than 45 countries, NAIS Dublin is a diverse community where learners are exposed to a variety of cultures, experiences, and perspectives. This broadens their view of the world, giving them the confidenceto interact with different people and environments.

Our school is a kaleidoscope of cultures and interests, providing a backdrop against which unique talents shine bright. We offer lots of opportunities for our students to discover their strengths, pursue passions, and do what they love. We challenge them to take control of their learning, too. This boosts  confidence in their abilities and prepares them for the future of their choice. 

Our educational approach is underpinned by a deep commitment to wellbeing. Our ‘six pillars of sustained wellbeing’ are embedded into the curriculum, giving our students the tools to look after themselves and grow in confidence. We build resilience and instil a sense of self-belief, empowering each child to live their best possible life.

2. Offering an array of confidence building activities

Both our lessons and extra-curricular programmes are packed with experiences designed to build self-confidence in our children.

We want our students to seize new opportunities, too, and realise that anything is possible. And if something doesn’t work out, we always encourage them to try (and try!) again.

Confidence building activities include:

How to build self-confidence in your child

We believe that building self-confidence in children is a team effort. Regular positive reinforcement, both at school and at home, will contribute to your child’s sense of accomplishment and self-worth.

Below, we’ve suggested a few practical ideas to build self-confidence in your child:

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Recognition and reward

As a community, we celebrate our students’ achievements, big and small. This contributes to positive self-image, instils belief, and increases self-esteem. We know that positive recognition inspires others, too, helping us cultivate a dynamic atmosphere where the sky is the limit.

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For more information on building self-confidence in children, please get in touch with us Enquiry