How to Help Children Build Healthy Self-Esteem
In a world full of comparison — from the classroom to social media — it’s not always easy for kids to feel confident, capable, and valued just as they are. In this episode of the Thriving Kids Podcast, Dr. Dave Anderson is joined by Dr. Jenny Louie, a clinical psychologist in our Anxiety Disorders Center, to explore how parents can help children develop true self-esteem that lasts.
You’ll hear about creating a safe, supportive home environment, encouraging healthy challenges, and finding the right balance between nurturing and pushing kids to grow. Dr. Louie shares practical, real-world examples (yes, even from her own parenting life) that show how small shifts in what we say and do can make a big difference in how kids see themselves.
In this episode:
- Why unconditional love is the foundation of self-esteem
- The role of challenge and the “zone of proximal development”
- Encouraging kids to try new things — even when they’re nervous
- Why effort matters more than achievement
- Helping kids recover from mistakes and “beautiful oopses”
- The pros and cons of participation trophies
- Avoiding overscheduling and making space for intrinsic motivation
- Supporting self-esteem in the teen years
Tips for Parents & Caregivers (from Child Mind Institute):
- Show your love daily — not just with words, but with your presence.
- Share family values as guiding principles, not just rules.
- Expose kids to a variety of activities so they can discover their passions.
- Encourage meaningful, attainable goals — not too easy, not too hard.
- Focus on effort and the learning journey, not just results.
- Celebrate perseverance and model confidence.
- Help kids see mistakes as opportunities to grow .
Resources & Links:
Creators and Guests
Host
Dave Anderson
Dave Anderson, PhD, is the Vice-President of Public Engagement and Education and a senior psychologist in the ADHD and Behavior Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute. Dr. Anderson focuses on the expansion of our awareness-building and prevention programs while also leading initiatives that build the Child Mind Institute brand, foster strategic partnerships, and forge new relationships with policy makers and youth mental health leaders.
Producer
Andrew Dearling
Andrew Dearling is the Digital Director at the Child Mind Institute, where he leads strategy and execution across web, email, social media, and digital campaigns. He focuses on using digital tools to connect more families with mental health resources, expand the organization’s reach, and drive measurable impact. Andrew combines deep expertise in content, platforms, and performance marketing with a clear understanding of how to reach people where they are, and move them to take action.
Producer
Chad Garber
Chad Garber, a seasoned Creative Producer with over 15 years of experience, shapes branded video, digital, and experiential content for Fortune 100 companies, agencies, and in-house teams to Child Mind Institute. Known for building high-performing creative operations, he led pro-bono productions to multimillion-dollar campaigns for brands like Verizon, Microsoft, New Balance, Budweiser, and FedEx. His sharp storytelling, deep production expertise, and collaborative leadership move ideas from concept to screen with impact.
