Building Confidence in Children: Start the School Year Strong

Kate Baker
Aug 26
3 min read

Updated: Sep 1

Why Confidence Matters for Children at School

We know that confidence and self-esteem are closely linked, which means that confidence isn’t just a “nice to have”. It can impact how children learn, grow and approach challenges. A confident child is more likely to raise their hand in class, keep trying when work feels hard and bounce back when they make mistakes. If your child struggled in school last year this may have impacted their confidence. You might have noticed they seemed less eager to try, more anxious about making mistakes or reluctant to read out loud. The good news? Confidence can be rebuilt with patience, encouragement and the right approach at home.

Every Child Has Strengths - Spot and Celebrate Them

Some children are naturally confident; others need a bit of support from parents and teachers. The key is to show them, in very specific ways, what they’re good at.

If your child struggles with reading, look for the elements they're doing well:

Do they pause when they see a full stop?
Do they use expression when reading aloud?
Are they imaginative when they tell their own stories?

These are real strengths worth celebrating. By pointing them out, you shift the focus from what they can’t do yet to what they are already doing well.

And don’t stop at reading, you can highlight other strengths too:

Maybe your child makes friends easily.
Perhaps they make an effort to include other children in games.
Or maybe they’re brave when climbing equipment looks scary.

Building confidence in children in really important, and confidence grows when children feel seen and valued for their unique abilities.

Young boy smiling wearing a red fleece with his arms in the air

Why This Matters: Confidence Builds Resilience

No child will find every subject easy. For some, maths is a hurdle; for others, spelling feels impossible; for many, social situations can be tough. That’s why it’s vital to teach children that their self-worth doesn’t depend on finding everything easy.

Confidence is the foundation for resilience. And resilience is what allows children to say: “I’m not good at this yet, but I can keep trying.” That mindset is what transforms struggles into progress.

Building Confidence in Children With Reading

If your child isn’t reading at age level yet, it’s easy for both parent and child to feel worried. But confidence shouldn't depend on being “top of the class.” With daily practice, encouragement and the right methods, progress is always possible.

Watch this short video on building confidence in children (specifically for children who are anxious perfectionists!)

Teacher with whiteboard — Click to watch (1 minute video)

Practical Takeaways for Parents

Start the year by boosting confidence: point out your child’s strengths both in schoolwork and beyond.
Make reading feel possible: even 10-15 minutes a day of focused practice makes a difference.
Be specific with praise: instead of “Good job,” try “I love how you used expression when you read that sentence.”
Model resilience: share your own stories of when you found something tricky and how you kept going.

Ready to Help Your Child Feel Confident?

If you’d like more step-by-step support, my Reading Skills Workbooks are designed to build accuracy and fluency while also boosting confidence. And if your child needs tailored help, you might find my 1:1 tutoring sessions the perfect next step.

With the right support, this school year can be their strongest yet. If you'd like a quick way to help your child with their letters and sounds, check out the Games Pack below!