CONNECTOR.AE 30 CONNECTOR.AE 31 Kids And Education Kids And Education Simple Ways To Help Your Child Deal With Peer Pressure Peer pressure, the urge to conform to peers’ actions and opinions for acceptance, commonly affects children and teens, impacting their development significantly. In today’s interconnected world, it plays a pivotal role in their lives. It stems from various sources like friendship groups, classmates, or siblings, shaping their sense of belonging. As a parent, helping children navigate these emotions is crucial. In this article, Connector, with various experts, suggests simple ways to support your child in handling peer pressure effectively. Help Your Kids Understand The Importance Of Saying No While saying ‘no’ might seem impolite, it’s essential for everyone, including children, to learn its significance. Parents play a crucial role in teaching kids to assertively say ‘no’ when needed. Children should learn that it’s acceptable to decline and not always conform to please others. instil a sense of security in your child and empower them to embrace their uniqueness. Foster self-confidence by teaching them that it’s okay to be different and that everyone has their strengths. “The best way to empower your child is to celebrate them as they are now. Encourage their hobbies and interests, and recognise and praise their achievements and efforts. Another way to build their confidence and independence is to involve them in family decisions, helping them understand that their opinion matters and that they are an integral part of the family,” suggests Eloise Briey, Senior Marketing Executive, Swiss International School. Educate Your Children About Peer Pressure Often, children may not realise they’re behaving differently due to peer pressure. As a parent, it’s crucial to educate them Sharing her take on this Joanna Brandariz, Key Stage 3 Progress Leader and Teacher of Dance and PE, Horizon International School, says, “Parents can empower children by roleplaying assertive responses to peer pressure, encouraging confident refusals and proposing alternative activities. Help them understand that saying ‘no’ may lead to short-term discomfort but can prevent long-term regret and support their values and boundaries.” Adding to this Nicola Hamer, Appointed Head of Secondary Academic Year 202425, The English College Dubai says, “One strategy parents could try is to role-play different scenarios with your child. This helps them practise saying ‘no’ confidently in a safe environment. It also helps to engage in open conversations at home about peer pressure and remind your child that it’s okay to make their own choices, even if it’s not what everyone else is doing.” Boost Your Child’s Confidence: Remind Them They’re Perfect as They Are Peer pressure often emerges when children compare themselves to others and feel judged based on their appearance, performance in sports or academics, and more. While you can’t control other children’s behaviour, as a parent, you can
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