Boosting Kids’ Confidence Before the New Term

The start of a new school term can bring excitement—but also worry—for many children. They may feel unsure about new teachers, classmates, or subjects. As a parent, you play a big role in helping your child feel confident and ready to face the school year. Building self-esteem isn’t about giving endless praise. It’s about helping your child believe in their own abilities, solve problems, and feel proud of who they are.

Let Them Talk About Their Feelings

A new school year often brings a mix of emotions—nervousness, excitement, fear. Give your child time and space to talk about what they’re feeling. Listen without jumping in to fix things right away. This shows them that their feelings are normal and okay. According to Roberts (2006), feeling heard and understood helps children build a strong sense of self from an early age.

Remind Them of Past Successes

Help your child recall moments when they faced challenges and successfully overcame them with courage and effort. Encourage them to remember making new friends, learning to read, or finishing difficult sports games confidently and proudly. Discuss those achievements and highlight the pride and satisfaction they felt after accomplishing those goals. Remind your child that past successes prove their ability to handle new challenges with resilience and strength. Building confidence often comes from recognising and valuing one’s own past achievements and inner strength.

Give Them Small Choices and Responsibilities

Giving your child age-appropriate responsibilities—like choosing their outfit for the first day of school or packing their backpack—shows them you trust their judgment. Even small decisions help children feel more in control and capable. As Homeyer (2016) points out, self-esteem grows when children feel they can do things for themselves and see the results of their actions.

Build a Steady Routine

Children feel more confident when they know what to expect. In the week leading up to the new term, slowly shift your routine toward school hours. A clear bedtime and morning schedule can reduce stress on the first day. When children feel prepared, they show up more relaxed and ready to engage.

Praise the Effort, Not Just the Result

Instead of saying, “You’re so smart,” try saying, “I saw how hard you worked on that.” This kind of praise, also known as process praise, helps children focus on effort and learning—not just results. The Stay Cool Kids intervention (Keesen, 2011) showed that focusing on emotional regulation and personal strengths helped children improve their self-esteem and handle challenges more calmly.

Be a Role Model of Confidence and Self-Kindness

Children watch their parents closely. If you speak kindly to yourself, handle mistakes with calm, and talk positively about facing challenges, your child will pick up on that. Let them hear you say things like, “I’m a little nervous, but I know I can handle this,” or “It’s okay to make mistakes. That’s how we learn.” These small examples teach kids how to talk to themselves with kindness too.

Helping Your Child Set Achievable Steps

Talk with your child about what they want to achieve this term—whether it’s reading a certain book, making a new friend, or joining an activity. Help them break the goal into smaller steps and celebrate progress along the way. Setting and reaching goals, even small ones, builds pride and self-belief.

Building Social Connections Before School Starts

Helping your child reconnect with school friends before the first day can significantly reduce feelings of anxiety and fear. For example, arranging a playdate or visiting the school together allows your child to familiarise themselves with the environment. Additionally, knowing they have trusted friends and adults nearby provides essential social support and comfort. Moreover, these connections encourage children to feel more secure and confident as the new term begins. Ultimately, fostering these relationships helps your child approach school with a positive and resilient mindset.

Goals for Lasting Confidence

Most of all, remind your child their worth isn’t based on perfect grades or flawless behaviour. Additionally, let them know they are deeply loved and valued just as they are right now. This kind of unconditional support creates a strong foundation for lasting confidence and emotional stability. Consequently, feeling secure allows children to face challenges with increased resilience and calmness throughout life. Ultimately, confidence grows when children understand their value isn’t tied solely to achievements or outcomes.

Final Thoughts on Empowered School Readiness

Supporting your child’s confidence means helping them trust their own strength to face stress. It’s not about shielding them from every difficulty but encouraging resilience instead. With your guidance, children learn to approach new challenges with courage and determination. This empowerment prepares them to navigate the school term successfully and confidently. Setting achievable goals fosters a sense of control and accomplishment. Ultimately, your support helps your child enter school ready and empowered.

Written by Tinkara Klinc

If you think that you can benefit from professional support on this issue you can reach out here. 

Tinkara Klinc is a Trainee Psychologist who works with adolescents and young adults offering support sessions. She is interested in child development and family dynamics, and is also furthering her education in the field of Developmental analytical psychotherapy.

References

Homeyer, F. (2016). Helping Kids Build Self Esteem. Ranch and Rural Living, 97(5), 17.

Keesen, E. M. (2011). Self-esteem, personality and the effect of the Stay Cool Kids intervention (Master’s thesis).

Roberts, R. (2006). Self-esteem and early learning: Key people from birth to school.