Helping Your Child Develop a Sense of Identity

Family Tips: Helping Your Child Develop a Sense of Identity

In this article we share ideas on helping your child develop a strong sense of identity and why it’s important.

Why Does Your Child’s Sense of Identity Matter?

Children with a strong sense of identity are more resilient and adaptable to change. With a strong sense of identity your child will be confident in their ability to learn new things and to make a positive contribution. They will be curious and seek out ways to challenge themselves. Your child will understand that they are valued and worthy.

Importance of Relationships in Helping Your Child Develop a Sense of Identity

One of the key ways a child develops their sense of self and identity is through interactions and relationships with others.

Therefore, an important foundation of your child’s sense of identity is feeling secure and safe in their relationships. This starts within the family but also extends to other people in their lives such as friends and carers.

So How Can You Help?

1. Show your child that you value them and the things that make them uniquely who they are.
2. Encourage your child to pursue and explore their interests.
3. Let your child build social skills through joining social groups or group activities with other children.
4. Listen to your child when they are talking to you about their thoughts and experiences. This lets them know they are valued.
5. Allow your child to express their feelings and opinions without fear of being judged or dismissed. It’s possible to acknowledge what’s said even if you disagree.
6. Let your child try new things and hold back on doing things for them.
7. Allow them to make mistakes.
8. Be supportive when your child faces a challenge or setback but refrain from going into ‘fix it’ mode. Help them find their own solutions.
9. Help your child to see the things that make them both similar and different to others. Help them to appreciate and celebrate those things.
10. Allow your child to ‘try on’ different identities through pretend play and/or dressing up in different outfits.
11. Teach your child the importance of accepting people’s differences of ideas, opinions, backgrounds and identities. Help them to see that we are all of equal worth and have something of value to offer just by being ourselves.

We hope this article provides some guidance on helping your child develop a sense of identity!