How to Raise Confident Young Kids with Eye Contact
Updated: Jul 30, 2019
If it's one trait I try to instill in my young children it is to be confident. As a parent there are many ways we can raise our children to be confident. One immediately visible element of confidence can be seen in how our children interact with others when they first meet them.
It's completely normal for a young child to cover their eyes, look down, look away, speak softly and just straight up not be confident when talking with someone they don't know for the first time. What we do as parent can have significant reverberations into our children's future.
There was a time when we brought our two young daughters to the local park and I watched from a distance how other equally tiny children approached my one daughter and she hesitated to engage. I don't need my child to campaign for president at the park but I don't want her to think it's OK to respond with timid reactions whenever another kid wants to be her friend.
Kids Need to See What Confidence Looks Like
You can't blame our little munchkins. If they've never identified what confidence is or how it operates in the real world then how can we expect them to improve it. Sure, parents who exude a natural level of confidence will likely raise children are more pre-disposed to confidence but how can we help gently push our children to be more confident in a fun and engaging way?
Digital and Printable Confidence Building Games for Kids Focused on Improving Eye Contact
We've found that engaging with our children in a fun way is the best way for them to learn whatever it is we want them to absorb.
We call them 'games' but some are more activities. For instance, take this first 'Game' it's more of a role play between my wife and I with our kids watching and engaging.
Another Game looks like the following... The game below may require some supplies such as sticky notes and scissors if you need to cut the sticky notes.
How nice would it be if there was a way for you to cast this to your TV in your living room and do these activities together with your family? That's how we do our Family Life Lessons and it's so much fun. I do it right from my phone while we are eating breakfast.
The good news is that there are plenty more games just like these for other focus areas we have for our children. If you want to download the PDF copy of these slides and get the digital link to cast it to your TV see below.
Here’s what’s in the digital and printable Family Life Lessons Slides
- PDF Version of the three games per topic. You can simply print and go over them with your family.
- Digital version in Google Slides so that you can review them with your family on your mobile, laptop or TV with the ability to cast from Chromecast.
Step-by-Step Process For Using Family Life Lesson Slides
It’s an easy process to get in and get started. You’ll be amazed how quickly the kids catch on.
1) Download the Family Life Lesson slides in both PDF and Google Slides
2) Depending on your family you can either surprise them or go over the games with your family ahead of time.
3) By using the Google Slide link you can open the slides on your mobile, laptop or TV (you can also print out the PDFs) and then simply follow the directions on the slide. Most importantly have fun!
Here is what one mother had to say about Family Life Lesson Slides
"It felt like every weekend we would get on Google and type in 'fun things to do with kids' and look for new ideas for us to do with our children. The ideas that come from Family Life Lessons are a hit with my family. Keep the great ideas coming!" - Elizabeth, 38
Here are some other ways you can use the Family Life Lessons in your family based on what readers have done:
How To Make Family Life Lesson Slides Work For You
Children don't think about 'having fun' they simply default to fun.
As long as you are accessible the lessons you want your children to learn can come out naturally through play.
My children pride themselves on winning some of the Family Life Lesson games. Not to mention that it makes for a nice new family tradition on Sunday mornings.
1. Be As Consistent As Possible
Children love routines. Humans in general are routine and habit focused animals. We've found that our children will now remind us or ask us for the next Family Life Lesson game on Sunday mornings (because that's when we do our Family Life Lessons). They are asking us for Family Life Lessons and we are happy to oblige given the underlying lesson.
2. Refer To The Slides
"It seems like you're feeling a little shy right now. Remember, the game we played about making eye contact? Picture those other kids with sticky notes between their eyes."
As you continue to reference the slides your child will get the hang of it. They’ll begin referencing them for you and will refer to the slides themselves. This is the goal.
3. Praise and Notice
According to popular parenting psychology, by praising your child’s efforts they’ll not only feel happy you are paying attention, but they’ll begin to be proud of their own developing independence. This is the goal.
“I noticed you made great eye contact all by yourself.”
“I noticed you counted the quarters, dimes and nickels correctly.”
“I noticed you were very honest about what happened.”
Stop Your Kids from Staring At Their Feet Today
If you want your children to grow in confidence and start using something else as their reference point when they first meet people, these Family Life Lessons will help. Not only will your child look people in the eye, but there will be fewer times that you need to correct your child and a more positive attitudes as a result.
It has truly transformed our weekends. It will do the same for yours.
Get Your Family Life Lesson Games Here
I’ve created a free email series just for you!
If you struggle with capturing and sharing all of the important life lessons that they don't teach your children in school then ... you're in the right place. I’ve gathered some of the most popular Family Life Lesson games and want to share them with you PLUS you can get a big sneak peak into our book that will have over 50+ games for children ages 3 - 5+ years. The best part of Family Life Lessons is that we will grow together as a family. As our children grow we will continue to create age appropriate content for them and you.
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