Supporting a foster child’s self-esteem and confidence

Children and young people who are in foster care often struggle with their self-esteem and self-confidence. When they have to leave their families of origin, they need to learn how to cope with their lives changing significantly. They may even end up questioning who they are and how they fit in with society and the wider world.

Beacon Fostering understands that young people need support from foster carers in their sense of self, so here are some ways in which you can help a foster child with being more confident.

Trying new things

Encourage your child to try out new activities, hobbies and games. You could even do these together to build interest and learn about how they work. This could range from volunteering to gardening, or playing chess or solitaire.

Encouraging a growth mindset

Mindset refers to a belief or set of beliefs about what someone can do and be, and their limits. If someone has a fixed mindset, they believe that their abilities and skills are set in stone.

A person with a growth mindset, on the other hand, will know that their skillset can change over time. Encourage your child to have a growth mindset by viewing challenges in life as opportunities to grow, focus on the process rather than the outcome of a task, and learn from failures and setbacks as well as the wins.

Support groups and communities

Fostering agencies like Beacon Fostering have support sessions and activity days where foster families can gather to share their experiences and challenges. This is an excellent opportunity to share tips and advice, and learn from others who have faced challenges with self-confidence.