Teaching your children self-awareness: where to start?
Knowing what personal boundaries and physical consent are is really very important and useful for young and old, even in a context such as school where daily interactions are not lacking. If as a parent you are able to lay the foundations of these complex issues, your children from an early age will learn to respect themselves and others, and will be able to better manage the relationships that await them when they grow up.
Respect for one's body also includes some simple rules of hygiene suitable even for children: discover them in the video below.
Intimacy, a concept also within reach of a child
An effective way to introduce children to the concept of intimacy is to start talking about it while teaching them the daily hygiene routine. While learning to wash himself, the child observes and discovers his own body, often and willingly asking questions that mum and dad can use to explain even broader concepts.
One of the first curiosities will surely be that linked to sex, especially in the first years of life: this is the perfect opportunity to talk about it without false moralisms, in a clear and direct way, helping the little one to become independent also and above all as regards the "personal hygiene, making it autonomous and fostering the ability to protect oneself and one's privacy.
In addition, making a child understand the value of personal intimacy will help him for the rest of his life, because in this way he will have clear that the human body is a treasure to be safeguarded and to learn to take care of. A practical example also in this case, it is related to the private parts: children must understand well that certain areas of the body must not be shown or touched by anyone, except for the parents, the pediatrician or other specific contexts that will be explained if necessary.
Building self-esteem from an early age is possible
If you want your child to have greater self-awareness, you need to teach him to say no.If he doesn't want to play a particular game or has told you that he was very annoyed at school by a kiss from a classmate, the first thing to do is to reassure him; later, when he wants, ask him to tell you everything in detail. By building an authentic, empathic communication with him, without feeling judged, the child will feel free to tell everything that happens to him every day.
In this way, expressing what he feels deep down to a trusted person such as a parent, will be a great strength for him that will increase his self-esteem.
Children and self-awareness: advice for parents
Let's get to the crux of the matter: as a parent, what can you do to make your child know himself better and be free to choose consciously?
Speak clearly and directly
It is important to understand what makes him feel comfortable, making him think and decide for himself. Talk to him directly, without mincing words that would tend to confuse him even more, but make sure you don't come to a conclusion. If he has understood the speech, he will be the one to draw conclusions. In general, encourage them to trust their instincts.
Often mentions the concept of consent
It is essential to refer to the concept of "consent" also and above all to resolve conflicts between siblings or schoolmates. The focus of the speech will be to make it clear that everyone has full rights over their own body, so if they do not want to be touched or pushed, they must be able to express it clearly and no one will be able to contradict them.
Lead by example
Children have their parents as their first role models, so remember that you cannot tell your child certain things if you are the first not to put them into practice. A few practical examples: do not be aggressive or use a high tone of voice to affirm yourself, because it is highly likely that the child will replicate this behavior with his peers or even with other adults.
Emphasize behaviors to stay away from
Make sure your child is able to distinguish adults who behave kindly from those who ask to keep secrets, or do or say inappropriate things. In all these cases the little one must know that he can count on the help of his parents to whom he will tell what happened.
Support your child
Often it is shame that stops children from telling unpleasant episodes to mum and dad. It will be essential not to accuse them, but to support and reassure them by offering your help immediately.
