As we all know, kids are ready to express their thoughts to just about any stranger who walks by. Yet at the same time, today’s kids are facing pressures to fit in earlier and earlier.
Whether its from technology and social media, their peer group, or even us as parents, kids will eventually have to face the pressure to fit in.
This is why it is so important to help kids find ways to express themselves early on. Teaching your child about simple ways to express themselves can help them form their own personality, which can help build self-confidence in who they are as a person.
While this may seem like a big, serious topic – and it is – there are a lot of everyday ways to help your kids express themselves, from clothing and food to music and art.
Choices
First and foremost, the best thing you can give kids to help them express themselves are choices. Kids may not always know what is best (chicken nuggets are not a 7-day meal plan!), but they will often amaze you with their ability to choose what is right for them.
This is less about the big decisions and more about the minor decisions that make up daily life. What movie do we want to watch? What book should we read before bed? Which toy should we take with us to the store?
As they get older, these choices may naturally get more complex. For instance, choosing between going to the beach or taking a hike in the woods, or letting them choose how to paint and decorate their room.
In every level, the important thing is to help give kids the confidence to choose for themselves and express their own inner wants and needs.
Clothing
Of course here at Sofi, we love to let kids express themselves through clothing, and what a great expression that is!. If your child is old enough to start giving input about their outfits, let them at it!
Letting kids choose their own outfits or at least giving them a choice between outfits may seem like a minor detail, but it helps them start to think for themselves and develop an individual style.
Your toddler may not understand color theory or the idea of matching an outfit, but they will certainly have a curious combination to pick out for the day!
Art
Art is not reserved for stuffy turtlenecks and white-walled art galleries, it is all around us. Finding ways for kids to express themselves through the arts is important at any age. Art helps us express feelings we cannot put into words and engages kids to think creatively.
Just be sure you put on some play clothes before you break out the finger paints…
Music
An extension of art, children can learn to express themselves by listening to, singing, or playing music. Allowing them to choose their own age-appropriate music may help them have more rich experiences around music in general.
Feelings
Feelings are complex. It can be hard for adults to articulate them, so no doubt kids will struggle with it. While a wailing baby is definitely telling you something, it is important to help your children express their feelings as best as they can.
As a role model for your kids, the simplest way to help them express their emotions may simply be to express yours! Whether it’s because you are frustrated because the dry cleaning is late, or happy because your favorite football team just won, expressing and explaining emotions to a child can help them identify their own emotions when they need to.
Who knows, maybe it leads to a few less tantrums (and therefore less headaches).
All in all, giving kids simple choices and helping them take control of their own personality in an age-appropriate manner may make for a more balanced, individualized person as they grow!
Simple ways to help children express themselves
As we all know, kids are ready to express their thoughts to just about any stranger who walks by. Yet at the same time, today’s kids are facing pressures to fit in earlier and earlier.
Whether its from technology and social media, their peer group, or even us as parents, kids will eventually have to face the pressure to fit in.
This is why it is so important to help kids find ways to express themselves early on. Teaching your child about simple ways to express themselves can help them form their own personality, which can help build self-confidence in who they are as a person.
While this may seem like a big, serious topic – and it is – there are a lot of everyday ways to help your kids express themselves, from clothing and food to music and art.
Choices
First and foremost, the best thing you can give kids to help them express themselves are choices. Kids may not always know what is best (chicken nuggets are not a 7-day meal plan!), but they will often amaze you with their ability to choose what is right for them.
This is less about the big decisions and more about the minor decisions that make up daily life. What movie do we want to watch? What book should we read before bed? Which toy should we take with us to the store?
As they get older, these choices may naturally get more complex. For instance, choosing between going to the beach or taking a hike in the woods, or letting them choose how to paint and decorate their room.
In every level, the important thing is to help give kids the confidence to choose for themselves and express their own inner wants and needs.
Clothing
Of course here at Sofi, we love to let kids express themselves through clothing, and what a great expression that is!. If your child is old enough to start giving input about their outfits, let them at it!
Letting kids choose their own outfits or at least giving them a choice between outfits may seem like a minor detail, but it helps them start to think for themselves and develop an individual style.
Your toddler may not understand color theory or the idea of matching an outfit, but they will certainly have a curious combination to pick out for the day!
Art
Art is not reserved for stuffy turtlenecks and white-walled art galleries, it is all around us. Finding ways for kids to express themselves through the arts is important at any age. Art helps us express feelings we cannot put into words and engages kids to think creatively.
Just be sure you put on some play clothes before you break out the finger paints…
Music
An extension of art, children can learn to express themselves by listening to, singing, or playing music. Allowing them to choose their own age-appropriate music may help them have more rich experiences around music in general.
Feelings
Feelings are complex. It can be hard for adults to articulate them, so no doubt kids will struggle with it. While a wailing baby is definitely telling you something, it is important to help your children express their feelings as best as they can.
As a role model for your kids, the simplest way to help them express their emotions may simply be to express yours! Whether it’s because you are frustrated because the dry cleaning is late, or happy because your favorite football team just won, expressing and explaining emotions to a child can help them identify their own emotions when they need to.
Who knows, maybe it leads to a few less tantrums (and therefore less headaches).
All in all, giving kids simple choices and helping them take control of their own personality in an age-appropriate manner may make for a more balanced, individualized person as they grow!
