Building confidence in kids

True confidence isn’t about being the loudest in the room; it’s about a quiet, steady belief in one's own worth. At ZenClub, we believe confidence is a skill we can nurture through both mindful action and energetic alignment.

Here are four ways to help your child build a resilient foundation of self-belief:

1. Model Positive Self-Talk

Children are like sponges; they absorb how we treat ourselves and learn from how we speak to ourselves. Children often tell me they have a negative voice inside that tells them off. We often talk about loving and parenting ourselves well but do we as adults do this? If you make a mistake and say, "I'm so silly, I can't do anything right," they learn that perfection is the standard. Instead, narrate your resilience. Try saying, "I’m frustrated that this didn't work, but I’m going to try a different way." When they see you being kind to yourself, they grant themselves permission to do the same.

2. Use Specific Verbal Affirmations

Generic praise like "Good job!" is nice, but specific affirmations build identity. Shift the focus from the result to the effort.

• Instead of: "You're so smart."

• Try: "I love how you didn't give up on that puzzle, even when it was tricky." This teaches them that their value lies in their persistence and character, not just their achievements.

3. Encourage New (Manageable) Challenges

Confidence grows in the "stretch zone"—the space just outside their comfort zone. Encourage them to try a new sport, speak to a new friend, or help with a "grown-up" task. When they navigate a new challenge, they collect "evidence of capability," proving to themselves that they can handle the unknown. You may wish to try keeping a journal or jar to collect these new challenges in. Children can look back over time and see how much they have learned and how their confidence has developed.

4. Develop the Solar Plexus Chakra

In our Zenergy philosophy, the Solar Plexus, located just above the navel, is the energetic seat of personal power and autonomy. To help kids tap into this:

• Yellow Energy: Encourage them to wear yellow or spend time in the sun or visualise a yellow light spreading from their tummy outwards until it surrounds them.

• Breathwork: Teach "Lion’s Breath" to release tension and reclaim space.

• Core Movement: Simple yoga poses like Warrior I help them feel physically grounded and powerful.

By balancing these practical habits with energetic mindfulness, we help our children glow from the inside out.