Confidence is something every parent and teacher wants for the children in their care.
But if we’re honest, the way confidence is often talked about—especially with girls—can accidentally create pressure.
We tell girls:
- “Be strong.”
- “Speak up.”
- “Be a leader.”
Those are wonderful goals.
But confidence doesn’t grow from pressure.
It grows from belonging, encouragement, and safe opportunities to try.
And that’s something both teachers and families can nurture together.
Confidence Begins with Feeling Safe
Before children can take risks academically or socially, they need to feel emotionally safe.
In classrooms, that might look like:
- Teachers encouraging questions
- Celebrating effort, not just correct answers
- Making space for different voices during discussions
At home, parents and caregivers can reinforce the same environment by asking questions like:
- “What was something you tried today?”
- “What was something challenging that you kept working on?”
Confidence grows when children learn that mistakes are part of learning—not something to be ashamed of.
Helping Girls Develop Their Voice
Many girls begin elementary school eager to participate, but research shows that confidence can drop as children grow older.
Teachers can help counteract that by creating intentional opportunities for students to speak and lead.
Examples include:
- Classroom discussions where every student contributes
- Leadership roles in small group work
- Encouraging girls to present ideas and solutions
Families can support this by inviting girls to share their opinions at home and validating their perspectives.
The goal is not to force children to perform—it’s to help them realize their ideas matter.
Encouraging Curiosity Over Perfection
One of the biggest barriers to confidence is perfectionism.
Children sometimes believe that if they cannot do something perfectly, they shouldn’t try at all.
Adults can help by modeling curiosity instead.
Teachers might say:
“I wonder what will happen if we try it this way.”
Parents might say:
“Let’s figure this out together.”
Curiosity creates freedom. Perfection creates pressure.
Supporting Boys in the Conversation Too
Women’s History Month is not only about empowering girls—it’s also about teaching boys to respect and uplift the voices around them.
Boys benefit tremendously from learning to:
- Listen
- Collaborate
- Value diverse perspectives
Healthy communities depend on everyone feeling respected and heard.
Confidence and A Better Tribe
Confidence grows best in environments where people feel supported, not judged.
That’s why strong schools focus not only on academics, but also on relationships.
When students feel seen by teachers, supported by families, and connected to their peers, something powerful happens:
They begin to believe in themselves.
And when students believe in themselves, entire communities grow stronger.
That’s how we build A Better Tribe—one classroom, one conversation, one child at a time.
Your friend,
Vimbo
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