Ways to Encourage Body Positivity in Your Child

By HSG in Blog, Body

According to research, some children as young as 3 to 5 years old may begin to worry about their weight and physical appearance. Possessing a positive body image can help your child feel more comfortable and confident in their ability to succeed. It contributes to their development of a higher self-esteem, resilience, and healthier behaviour. On the flip side, low self-esteem may lead to health concerns and may make your ward feel more self-conscious, anxious and isolated. Keeping this in mind, we urge you to consider the following methods to help you guide your child into developing a healthier image of their body. 

• Educate them about their body – We suggest that you encourage your child to become familiar with his or her own body. Help them recognise the different parts of their bodies by naming them. Or you could assist them in identifying the body parts and ask them to locate them for you. You may also explain the roles of each bodily component and how they help people in doing various activities. They learn to appreciate their bodies in this manner. 
• Correct misinformation – It’s unavoidable to prevent your child’s exposure to media and artificial beauty standards. However, it’s critical to check in and address any misconceptions they may have about food, exercise, their bodies, or other people. Let your children know that individuals should not be judged based on their weight, just as they should not be evaluated based on their physical disability or skin colour.
• Set a good example – Children tend to imitate the acts and behaviours of the people in their environment. Their perceptions of themselves may be influenced if they hear adults speak poorly about their own bodies. To prevent this, consider striving to be the role model that they require. You may focus on basic things like projecting a good attitude and acknowledging that your imperfections are alright.
• Emphasise exercise – One component of having a positive body image is feeling fit, strong, and capable. Some children are born athletes who like all sports. In contrast, others may prefer individual activities such as walking or riding a bike. Instead of concentrating on exercise to reduce weight or maintain a specific body type, you may encourage your kids to think about the numerous ways that being active might benefit them. You might consider exposing your children to various forms of physical activity to pique their interest. 
• Prioritise health over weight – When it comes to body positivity, everyone’s health should take precedence over their weight. If judged based on their weight, children could grow up valuing stereotypical beauty standards above growing healthier. They should not be ridiculed because of their weight; instead, they might be encouraged to maintain a healthy physique. You may want to teach your children how to look after themselves appropriately and live a healthy lifestyle, as it helps them understand body positivity is more about health and fitness than weight and beauty.
• Celebrate physical and non-physical attributes – Teaching your children to have a positive self-image that isn’t only based on looks helps them create a positive self-image that isn’t solely based on appearance. It is useful to focus on more vital aspects of a person, such as how nice or charitable they are, or other non-physical attributes such as their kindness, talent or dedication to work hard.  Daily positive affirmations can help your children overcome negative self-talk and gain confidence.