The Baby and Toddler Guide

Nuturing your child's self-esteem

Walk by any desk in the work environment and you will openly see photographs of your co-workers children and family. These images serve as reminders of the meaningful place we enjoy within our family. We place these images beside us while we work because we want to feel our family close all times. The same concept holds true for children.

Many psychologists who specialize in early childhood development believe that children who see their own images displayed throughout the home will develop a stronger feeling of well-being. Portraits on display serve to make a child feel loved and valued. And when mom, dad, and grandparents are in the portraits, the child is reminded of the meaningful place he or she enjoys within the family.

Decorating with your children’s photographs can do more than add warmth and beauty to a home, it can actually enhance your child’s self-esteem. In the book “The Magic of Encouragement: Nurturing Your Child’s Self-Esteem” author and psychotherapist Stephanie Marston suggests placing two images of a child next to the child’s bed. One should show the child happily involved in an activity that they enjoy and the other should show the family together (parents and child nurturing each other or playing together). These images of your child being empowered and being loved will be “the last thing they see before they go to sleep and the first thing they see when they wake up. Images speak louder than words, so these photos can be a great benefit to a child’s development. Stephanie Marston’s book, The Magic of Encouragement: Nurturing Your Child’s Self-Esteem, can be found at http://www.stephaniemarston.com/

Margie Mastrangelo is the owner of Portrait Boutique. She can be reached at www.portraitboutique.ca

Margie Mastrangelo
Portrait Boutique
121 Lakeshore Rd. W #2
Mississauga ON L5H 1E9
(416) 657-2002