How You Talk About Your Kids Defines their Sense of Self

by Saurabh Gupta Digital Markter

Parenting is not an easy job. There are a lot of challenges at every step of the way, and the journey is full of ups and downs. There are moments when you feel elated being a parent, while at times, you feel dumbstruck and crazy. The fact is that those innocent little faces actually know very well how to get onto the nerves of the parents and test their patience to the extreme. And we are pretty certain that every parent reading this blog will nod in agreement with this statement.

However, what is really appreciable in a parent-child relationship is the immense love that keeps the bond together. No matter what, parents love their children to the core, and the same holds true on the kids’ part as well. But, one aspect that often fails to get much significance in a parent-child relationship is how parents unintentionally end up labeling their children in front of others. Though this might not seem a problem as such to most people, it is important to be mindful of how you are describing your kids to other people as that lays a significant impact on your kids’ mind. It affects the way they see themselves and the world around them.

At JP International School, one of the top ranked schools in Greater Noida, we firmly believe that just like how you should use positive phrases while talking to your child, it is vital that you do the same while talking about them to others in their presence! This is crucial in building their character and vision in life. And in this blog today, we’ll discuss why labels are bad for your kid and what you should focus on instead.

Character Labels aren’t Your Child’s BFFs

Parenting experts from around the world strongly advise against labels. And this not only applies to negative labels but also the good ones like ‘sweet girl,’ ‘caring boy,’ etc. when describing your kids to others. For example, one of the most common adjectives parents use to describe their children glued to their PlayStations is ‘lazy.’ When you repeatedly use the word, you are essentially making an impression in your child’s mind that he is actually lazy. But, if you think about it, that’s not the case. Their behavior at the moment might be lazy (because they refuse to do something you asked them to), but they are not!

Labels Limit a Child’s Mindset

While it is relatively easy to change behavior via positive reinforcement, it is very difficult to change a label. At JP International School, we believe that when we cherish the vision of helping our kids develop a growth mindset and not limit them in any way, letting them perceive a negative image of self is the worst thing to do. Instead, it is the positive words that can help achieve this vision.

Why Use Positive Words?

They help boost your child’s confidence.
They foster a loving and respectful relationship.
They aid in changing their mindset from limiting to a growth mindset.
They help in shaping your child’s perception of their inner self.

Summing Up

Young children develop their sense of self and perception about the world by primarily taking cues from their parents. If you label them as stubborn, there are high chances that they will start believing in the label and make it a permanent trait. So, it is crucial to watch your words, not just when speaking to kids but also around them.

At JP International School, positioned among the top ranked schools in Greater Noida, we believe in the power of positive self-image and empower our students to build a growth mindset. In the words of Carol Dweck, “The wrong kind of praise creates self-defeating behavior. The right kind motivates children to learn.” So, let’s use nothing but positive words and phrases to describe our kids.