Health Tip: Building Your Child's Self-Esteem

Proper self-esteem can help your children make healthier decisions and avoid negative pressures. Children with good self-esteem also have an easier time dealing with problems and conflicts, the Nemours Foundation says.

Here are the foundation's suggestions for building self-esteem in your child:

* Praise your child for the effort she's made, rather than the outcome.
* Redirect your child's irrational perceptions of herself.
* Be very affectionate with your child -- give her lots of spontaneous hugs and encouraging notes.
* Be truthful in your feedback, but try to highlight the positive.
* Encourage her to participate in activities that encourage cooperation, rather than competition.