Tips To Build Your Child's Body Image

Kayal Arivalan details tips from experts

- Kayal Arivalan

The way you feel about your body is your body image. Children with a positive body image are confident in their appearance. They like the way they look, the way their bodies move and grow, and the things their bodies can do. On the other hand, children who are self-conscious about their appearance lack self-confidence. Positive body awareness and confidence can benefit your child for the rest of their life, while low self-esteem can contribute to many problems.

Here's what you can do as a parent to prevent your kids from having body image issues.

BE THE ROLE MODEL

Promoting body positivity among kids starts with you, says Kanchan Rai, emotional and mental wellbeing coach, and founder of Let Us Talk, New Delhi. “You must be a role model for your children as they will see you and learn from how you feel about yourself. You are an inspiration to your children; you have to be aware of how you are presenting body image in front of your children. Perhaps you can inspire them to eat healthily, and you know you must be active, so that your children can be active.” Rai adds that building their self-esteem is very important. “Be supportive; don't criticise or ask too many unrealistic things of your children. That is how you can be a role model for your children, to promote body positivity to them.”

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