Self-confidence is a great quality in life. It is most essential for all human beings in every walk of life. It is the true hallmark of a successful character.  It makes life healthy, bright and prosperous.  Columbus laid the road from Europe to America, Tensing Norgay and Edmund Hilary reached the top of Mount Everest,  Neil Armstrong set his foot on the moon;  it was their self-confidence that led them to success. Hence, self-confidence is a precious asset. Life without it is like a ship without radar.

Self-confidence may be defined as that training of mind which increases one’s will power and makes him confident at his work. It, therefore, is a vital force in life. Particularly for students it is most necessary as it provides them energy to study and makes them enthusiastic. Children having self-confidence enjoy their studies like playing their favourite games. They always remain ahead of others and secure good marks. On the other hand, children with little confidence or no confidence are always confused and do not do well. But it is not always easy to be confident. There may be pitfalls. It is the duty of parents, guardians and teachers to develop the self-confidence of children. The following methods are suggested for the parents to develop the self-confidence of their children.

Motivate your child to believe in himself:- It is the duty of the parents and teachers to convince the child that  nothing is impossible as the man is God’s wisest creation. So, he can also do anything, if he tries sincerely in right way and at right time. Advise him to study with proper interest and to be attentive in class.

Tell him that he is the best:- Always tell your child that he is the best and he can do the best. He can study well and can secure more marks than others if he tries seriously and does hard labour. Site him the example of world famous scientist Thomas Alva Edison who was a slow learner in school and his teachers had no hope on him. But he developed his confidence, studied well and became a great scientist.

Tell him not to feel inferior:- Inferiority complex is an obstacle on the way of development of self-confidence. Children, who think themselves inferiors to others, lose their confidence. So, it is your duty to remove the inferiority complex from your child. Tell him that no man knows everything. So, if he does not know something, he can know it well if he puts his proper efforts. He can be equal with others very soon if he cares seriously.

Tell him to throw away jealousy-Jealousy is a serious disease. It diverts the attention and brings absurd thinking. A child, who is jealous to his friends always remain unstable and lose his confidence. So, it is the duty of parents and guardians to remove this bad tendency from the child’s innocent mind.

Teach him the value of positive thinking:- Inspire your child to develop positive thinking. A child, who always points out the negative aspect of a thing and criticizes his friends, relatives  or teachers, cannot be confident.

Develop his time sense:- You have to teach your child  the value of time. Tell him that  he has to utilize each moment of his study hours in school as well as in home properly. The children who do not do their works in time are confused to do many pending works at a time and lose their confidence.

Teach him to learn from his failures:-  Failures are the pillars of success. If your child is not studying well or not doing well in examinations, then inspire him not to worry and to try again with his best efforts. Tell him  how Einstein, one of the greatest scientists of the world, had failed to qualify  his entrance examination.

Do not scold or beat him for his failure:- Scolding and beating provide shock to a child and diminish his confidence. So, do not scold in odd manners and beat your child.

Reward your child for his success:-  Reward, small or big provides more energy to the child. It improves his confidence and he tries more to do better. So,  reward your child for his success.

Tell him to welcome criticism:- Criticism makes one more serious in his work. So, if your child is criticized either by friends or by teachers, say him not to worry and to try more for getting every one’s appreciation.

Send him to the nearby shops to buy his necessary things:- Children who go to the nearby shops of their homes to buy their necessary things, build more confidence. Hence, sometimes send your child to buy the things for his own and also for your home.

Allow him to do some works in home:- The children who help their parents in their homes and also do their works, just like arranging their books in the self, keeping their study room clean, polishing their shoes etc. gain more confidence.

Teach him to pray God:- By praying the Almighty, one gets mental as well as physical courage. Prayer provides energy and  builds confidence. You, therefore, teach your child to pray God.