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How to Promote Self Expression in Children

Raising a confident and secure child includes teaching him to express himself on a daily basis. Self expression is something that can be learned. If your child shows signs of being shy or reserved, you can encourage self expression through a number of strategies and techniques. Letting your child make decisions for himself and promoting a creative atmosphere at home gives your child more opportunities to assert himself and helps make him comfortable with self expression.

Things You'll Need

Wardrobe
Music
Journal
Camera

Instructions

- 1
  Start each day by letting your child dress however she wants. Let her choose an outfit, shoes and accessories, and generally make her decisions herself -- within reason. If the clothes aren't weather appropriate or don't cover her up enough, step in.
- 2
  Include physical activity as part of each day's routine, making sure the physical activity is not regimented but free form. For example, put on some music and let your child make up his own dance. Alternatively, have your child run around outside in whatever pattern he wants.
- 3
  Encourage the use of words to describe things and situations. Give your child a journal to jot down daily thoughts, and always speak to your child using an elevated vocabulary so she will pick up these words as well.
- 4
  Give your child a camera to take pictures of her friends and daily life. She can make collages from these photos and hang them around her room.
- 5
  Encourage your child to join after school activities that he chooses, even if they are not activities you would have chosen. Some children will be drawn to chess clubs, some children will want to be in the band and other children will want to be involved in sports.

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