Home » Resources » Assertiveness » Teaching your child assertiveness

Its never too early to learn good assertiveness skills

Kids have a tough time at school. You can’t always be there to help them cope with playground politics or bullying, assertiveness skills can help them especially if they are shy or sensitive children.

Some ways you can help your children to learn healthy assertiveness:

Be a role model for your children

Even when your views are unpopular teach them by example that is OK to show your opinion, even if it is uncomfortable it is OK, and that it is OK to stand up for the rights of others too.

Be democratic at home.

Debate, and listen to your children’s opinions even if they do not match your own. Let them know it is ok not to agree with someone but it is always important to listen and accept others opinions.

They should know that you value others that speak their mind respectfully. Praise them when you notice them doing this. Let them know that you respect their opinions.

Provide opportunities for them to join group activities, or lead.

Kids gain that confidence is by entering into activities, clubs, team building, etc. and the earlier the better. Let them take control of a project.

Teach your children C.A.L.M. assertion

C – Stay Cool If you get upset, ticked off, cry, pout you don’t appear as confident.
A – Assert yourself. Teach your child a few comeback lines to say in different situations.
L – Look the person in the eye. The best way to appear more confident is by using eye contact.
M – Mean it. Teach your child the difference between how a wimpy and a strong voice sound. Then encourage your child to assert himself using a strong and firm tone–but not yelling tone–to get his point across.

Similar resources you may like

1. About Assertiveness
2. Understanding Assertiveness.
3. How to be Assertive?
4. Assertiveness in Brief
5. The Benefits of Assertiveness In Children

Tags

Assertiveness, Assertiveness in children, Assertiveness Training, C.A.L.M. assertion, Confidence Building Training, Role Model, Teaching your child assertiveness

Share This Resource

This entry was posted by Heather Buckley on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 at 3:34 pm and is filed under Assertiveness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.