High self-esteem and confidence are associated with an individual’s positive analysis of their own abilities and potentials. How we deal with our personal situations; how we overcome challenges and cope with what the world throws at us will form the foundations for how we choose to live our lives. The problem solving and decision making that we do during our developmental  years is fundamental to how we feel we can deal with  life. It is in the early years that we develop and start understanding  our own capabilities. Eileene Welker of Ohio State University states “Some research has shown that those who are able to evaluate a situation and make a decision are often more successful in life.”

Many parents, educationalists and politicians are seriously concerned with the lack of reading skills and literacy in today’s children and young people.  Devotion to TV and computer games means a lack of personal interaction, damage to eye sight, little personal socialization and a lack of one-to-one and group communication. A generation of illiterate children will have a disastrous effect on our social fabric and the economic success of the country.  

The government have expressed their concerns with the lack of reading skills for today’s children. In 2007 the Guardian reported that “Children in England read less outside school and the performance of bright youngsters has dropped since 2001, according to an international research report published in 2007. Only 33% of children in England and Scotland read for pleasure, compared with the international average of 40%. There is a strong link between this and their achievement in Pirls tests.”http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2007/nov/28/schools.uk1

Vince Lombardi the popular American life coach said:  “Winning isn't everything, but the will to win is everything.” Is this true?

Well do start with What does ‘a winner’ mean to you and your child – and to society?  Is it important that our children see themselves as winners? Should we encourage winning? Should we include them in competitions? Give them the chance to be winners?  Or should we teach our children that simply taking part is really what counts?

Is it a desperate search for identity? Or part of a normal need to feel of value?

Many parents, health professionals and society at large are increasingly concerned that  body image worries, eating disorders and low self esteem are increasingly occurring in young children. Eating disorders include a range of physical, psychological and behavioural features that often have an impact on social functioning and can invade most areas of a child’s life.  Instead of living happy, playful and healthy lives children are concerning themselves with anxiety and distress about their shape and size. It is estimated that an astounding 40% of nine year olds have already dieted and we are beginning to see four and five year olds expressing the need to diet. It is such an awful shame because these children are losing their childhood and a crucial stage of their life when they are growing and developing into individuals.

What is your child's passion? What inspires them? Find out what they love to do, what they are good at, something that is close to their heart. Then help them build on this inspiration, this passion of theirs to feel good about themselves to develop their confidence and overcome challenges such as shyness. If you are fully involved in doing something you love, you are more likely to be focussing on this rather than bothering about being shy or other negative things. 

Should we accept children the way they are, regardless of their weaknesses, temperament and behaviours and love them unconditionally? Children, like adults need to feel secure and accepted especially when they are young. But is this detrimental for developing discipline, a balanced and supportive environment and teaching them to respect and consider others?

The internet is part of our lives now and most young people connect via the internet - this is fine as it allows global connection and is a great source of information (as can be TV).  But what about the pleasure of hands on reading and enjoying real books?

Computer games can be great for fun, reflexes and relaxation but you need a balance, and books and reading often get pushed out.  And of course, you need to learn to read even to benefit from the information on the internet.  Reports and recent figures show many kids can’t read well so they are shut out from the wonder of books – there have been government programmes to improve level of reading skills and the use of iPads and Kindle have also shown encouraging signs that people will use new technologies to read.  And although kids love digital stuff  they still seem to enjoy books they can hold in their hand.  There has been research on whether use of computers lowers the literacy level of children: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1390365/Computers-home-wrecking-childrens-reading-skills-age-nine.html

Encouraging children to read can often prove to be a difficult task, but it is important that children discover the joys of reading.  Not only can you learn from reading – and become informed – it can open a new world or you can journey into a new secret world to escape from reality – sometimes that can be a good thing!