3 TOP TIPS TO RAISE A CONFIDENT CHILD  

By Sally Forrest

Managing Director, SoulKids, www.soulkids.org

21st May 2018

One of the most attractive qualities a person can have is self-confidence.

It starts young and it is a skill worth learning.

One of the core principles of SoulKids is that confidence is a teachable and learnable skill.

Here are 3 top tips that you can start with for your child (and of course for yourself):

1) CULTIVATE POSITIVE THINKING

At any moment, we have a choice. We can see the good in a situation, or we can see the bad. No matter what the situation, develop the habit of thinking “What positives can I find in this situation?”

For example, if your child brings home their grade card and 4 subjects are above average and 2 are below average, do not over-react and start to focus on the negatives.

Instead treat each moment as a learning opportunity.

Ask your child what went well, and how they feel about those subjects. Also ask your child what did not go well and why that was. Ask your child for their action steps to make improvements going forwards.

You can also encourage the child to take accountability for their own success. This way the conversation is positive and productive and you do not react to the disappointment of a few low grades.

2) VISUALIZE POSITIVE OUTCOMES

At SoulKids we believe that Visualization is a powerful tool to use.

Encourage your child to learn the art of visualizing positive outcomes in all aspects of their life.

Visualize doing well in school exams.

Visualize winning at sports.

Visualize having a healthy body.

Visualize having great friends.

Once the mind visualizes a positive outcome, the body responds, your child will begin to feel more confident and will take more positive actions, which naturally will have better results than taking action half-heartedly.

The child will develop confidence in this technique with practice. The more you practice doing positive visualizations, the easier it becomes.

3) CREATE A NETWORK OF SUPPORTIVE FRIENDS

At SoulKids we coach children on the truth that ‘You become who you surround yourself with’ and this is very important to understand if you want to have a positive life and future.

Who your child mixes with, will play a large role in their life.

If your child mixes with friends who encourage and support them, then they will become more confident and grounded in life.

If your child gets in with the wrong crowd and starts to do things to please others, then they are in effect moving away from their own personality and confidence.

It is important to explain to a child early the importance of relationships and what to nurture in them. Encourage positive friends and discuss with your child how these relationships will indeed support them going forwards in life.

These are 3 simple SoulKids tips that are easy to implement and that will make a positive difference in the lives of your children.

Your child learns best from experience, so become a role model in these aspects and your child will learn from your actions.

Sally Forrest is the founder of SoulKids.

If you would like your child to benefit from a SoulKids program, a personal coaching or by reading the SoulKids books, then please do connect on www.soulkids.org

The next SoulKids Self-Confidence program is coming up on 11 / 12  / 13 June. An ideal moment for your child to grow self-confidence and have fun during the school holidays at the same time.

For registration, click here.

One on One coaching sessions can be booked at your convenience by contacting the SoulKids Manager, Vidhya on soulkids@soulcentre.org.

How to be more Confident - It all begins with Me

5^th September 2016

Imagine the joy of seeing your child walk confidently through life being able to handle any situation that life offers to them.

Parents and teachers are the main source of a child's self worth, and their first teachers.

Confidence skills can be taught from a young age and will remain with the child for life.

Here are a few tips on how to encourage your child to become more confident:

1) Encourage them to see their inner and outer strengths.

a) Outer strengths: For example praise them for dressing well, grooming well, showing a happy face etc. …

Use words and phrases that show the child that you appreciate what they have done.
For example:
"Mary I like the way you have co-ordinated your outfit today – all the colours match well"
"When you style your hair like that it really suits you and looks chic"

b) Inner strengths: name them and also reward good behaviour.

"Mary I love it when you share with others as it shows that you care"
"I love to hear the positive thoughts that you bring to the conversation"
"I admire the fact you are determined, focussed and take responsibility"

2) Ensure a child feels loved.
Hug them, hold their hand, write them notes and most importantly let them know they are loved.
It is wonderful to hear the words "I love you".
Include their name so that they know the love is for them.
For example;
"Ria, I love you."

3) Make their environment positive.
Each child should have a space of their own on which you can build a wall of appreciation for them. Include positive pictures, certificates, awards, and any good comments that you have received about the child. Use hand written comments and post them on the wall to keep it alive and exciting. If space is limited and your children all share one bedroom, then allocate a small space on the wall for each child. With the right mind-set and some creativity, any space can become magical for the child.

3 top tips that are easy to apply.

Knowing them is not enough – we must apply and take action.

Do let me know how your child feels once you have tried these out for 7 days …. Miracles will result.

Stay connected to wisdom with the SoulKids® Books

Children who attend SoulKids® programs have great fun learning life lessons, gaining wisdom and techniques to deal with life issues and listening to the many stories we share.

Each child leaves with a favorite story and many parents have commented that the child continues to tell the story over and over again.

www.soulkids.org

Parents asked us to put the stories into books and we are delighted to share the wisdom in 8 separate books and inspirational flash cards;

• 5 Books in the SoulKids® Book of Self Confidence series (Book 1 to Book 5).
• A limited edition “Box Set” containing all 5 books for your child to treasure.
• The 2 Dogs.
• Ben's Story.
• SoulKids® for Teenagers.
• SoulKids® Inspirational Cards.

We always encourage parent’s to keep their children connected to the wisdom and to encourage reading. There are so many benefits!

Allow us to remind you of 8 important ones:

1. Reading expands a child’s vocabulary and allows them to master language skills.
2. Reading encourages conversation and enhances communication skills.
3. Reading together improves relationships and allows time for parent-child bonding and quality time together.
4. The stories expose the children to life lessons they may encounter as they grow.
5. Shared memories result as both parent and child will benefit from the story and life lessons contained within it, and soon, SoulKids® wisdom will be part of the family vocabulary.
6. Regular reading encourages concentration, focus and discipline.
7. Reading together provides an excellent opportunity for parents to discuss the life lessons contained within the stories. The lessons of the stories are designed to support with real life issues and the parent can use them to support the child during stages of transition (moving school, exams etc.)
8. If reading is fun, children are more likely to pick up a book rather than all the other gadgets on offer.

Our complete range of books can be bought on line, or at our head office in Bencoolen Street.

Please connect with us (info@soulcentre.org) and we will guide you on which books are most suitable for your child.

Why are life-skills needed?

‘SoulKids teaches children how to create and enjoy a good life, not just earn a good living.’ – Vikas

www.soulkids.org

The imperative things to learn in life, are how to manage ourselves, work with others and maximize our inner potential for the benefit of others.

Sadly, these essential skills are often overlooked as a child grows into an adult.

While academic learning and external skills sets may be enough to get us a good job, they do not ensure that we will have happy relationships, actualize our inner potential, work efficiently with others in teams, or even enjoy a lasting sense of happiness and purpose in life.

And this is where SoulKids really shines! SoulKids works with children to equip them with the complete set of life skills that a child will need to create a happy and successful life as they become adults.

Skills that teach us about the power of our thoughts, the strength of our emotions and the effects of our actions.

Inner skills such as resilience, teamwork, positive thinking, creative problem solving and discipline, which are needed to create both success and happiness in one’s life.

Children enhance their level of self-confidence, think positively, develop determination, focus, vision, persistence, passion and creative problem solving, and have greater emotional intelligence and resilience after attending SoulKids. They can apply what they learn at SoulKids in their personal, family and social life.

Life-skills create strong self-esteem and empower us to overcome day-to- day challenges, stress and tension.

Life-skills are necessary in today’s world, because academic education is simply not enough for us to create and enjoy a good life!

SoulKids is an award winning training program that provides the complete menu of life-skills that your child will require to create a life of happiness and success.

So if your child has not benefited from the magic of SoulKids yet, now is the time for you to connect with us.

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE CARDS - SOULKIDS

Do you ever wish you could simply find the answer to a question in life or do you ever feel a bit lost and would just love for some words of wisdom?

Well we have the solution, or as we love to say, the SOUL-ution.

SoulKids Inspirational Words of Wisdom – Our SOUL Card series.

• Children can play a game and pick out a card and think of an occasion when they acted like this or think of an occasion when they saw this quality in others.
• They can send cards as gift notes.
• They can put them on their walls.
• Leave these cards in your home and see the difference in your child’s self confidence. 

Available through SoulKids – Order on line or simply just drop us an E-mail and order your set today.

www.soulkids.org

Self-Belief - How to develop it in Children

SoulKids teaches parents and children a unique and powerful methodology to build strong self-belief in children.

We highly recommend all parents to attend our annual ‘SoulKids Mentor Training’ and learn SoulKids methods and secrets from Vikas Malkani himself.

However in the meantime, here are some tips to help parents strengthen self-belief in their children.

Tips to create positive Self-Belief in a Child:

1. Use positive self-talk to the child and around the child. Be careful of the nature of the conversation you have around your children, because they imbibe and imitate what they hear.
2. Support their efforts and not just their results. If your child is putting sincere effort into something, acknowledge the work done, regardless of what the result turns out to be.
3. Notice them doing things right, don’t just catch them doing things wrong. Acknowledge and reinforce their good behaviour and work.
4. Avoid comparisons, both within and outside the family. This devalues the child’s self-esteem.
5. Let your child know that they have your unconditional love, but not unconditional acceptance of incorrect behaviour. The love is always there, but their behaviours must be deserving of approval.
6. Motivate, don’t dictate. If you are dominating and dictatorial, it’s not good for your child’s self-esteem. Inspire and motivate them instead, it’s a much more effective strategy.
7. Value their dreams whatever they may be. Never ridicule, or criticize what your child dreams to be. With time, it will probably change anyway.
8. Encourage your children, don’t discourage them. If they wish to do something, encourage them to take actions in that direction, along with your support.
9. Avoid labeling your child in any way. Labels such as ‘you’re slow’, ‘you’re so dumb’ etc. are toxic to their self-belief.
10. Never ridicule or laugh at your children in front of others.
11. Support your child’s strengths and desires, and if they are naturally good at something, encourage them to do more of it.

Positive self-esteem in children helps them to become happy and successful.

SoulKids is an award-winning life skills program for children. Send your children to SoulKids and we will help them develop a strong and stable self-belief.

SoulKids was a huge success in May!!

SOULKIDS WAS A HUGE SUCCESS IN MAY!!

We had an amazing time with 23 children at SoulKids on 14/15th May at the Hollandse Club.

Children gave us some wonderful feedback about what they learnt in SoulKids …

•  I learnt to work in a team. 

•  I learnt to be patient.

•  I learnt how to be confident and open-minded.

•  I learnt to never give up on my dream.

•  I learnt that my value does not change even if someone makes fun of me.

•  I learn lots of new things - it's great fun.

•  I learnt to be happy with who I am.

•  I learnt that I should be positive because what comes around goes around.

•  It's fantastic and such fun and I learnt so much.

•  It's so lovely and I became creative and happy.

•  I felt so happy, amazing and so special.

•  I feel happy, great, positive, strong and awesome.

•  It was such a new experience. I am so happy and I made so many new friends.

•  I learnt to be positive and not negative.

•  It's SUPER fun and I left feeling amazed and cheerful.

•  I have learnt to be a leader.

•  I learnt to inspire others.

•  I want to come back every day.

Children love SoulKids and the lessons we share stay with the children as they mature in life.

"I LOVE SoulKids - it teaches things in such a FUN manner and it teaches me how to LIVE my life and how to ACT in life."

More information about SoulKids programs on www.soulkids.org

The Power of Positive Thoughts

"If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely"

- Roald Dahl 

What is the best gift we can give to a child?

It is simply to be the best example that we can be.

We can only give to a child what we have inside, so if we feel loved then we can give love, if we feel happy and content, then we can give happiness.

So reflect for a moment, How happy are you? How positive are your thoughts?

Children learn by watching as well as listening, and what they see on a day to day basis becomes their reality.

So exercise your happy muscles today.

Have positive thoughts. 

In ANY situation we can always look to see a positive aspect….

It's as simple as remembering we have enough food to eat, clean water to drink, that our bodies are healthy, that we live in a safe environment….

The list is endless….

So on a daily basis - look for the things that make you smile, develop your positive thoughts and radiate like a sunbeam.

Your children will love you for being a happy you - and change will result.

Try it and see.

INTERVIEW WITH SOULKIDS® MENTOR - ISKANDAR

Sally has been out and about interviewing Mentors. She met up with Iskandar from Malaysia and asked him a few questions.

Sally: Iskandar, what bought you to SoulKids®?

Iskandar: I was introduced to SoulKids® by my mum.

S: Oh wow, that's a lovely family connection. So how did this happen?

I: My wife and I were having dinner with mum and discussing about our students. We have taken a Japanese Maths franchise and started it in Thailand - however we noticed that many things are lacking in today’s education – things like life-skills and self-esteem.

My mum started talking about SoulKids® and how it meets the criteria we are looking for “Essential Life-Skills for Children”. So we were both excited and wanted to learn to be Mentors.

S: What are your experiences of the Mentor Training and the SoulKids® Weekend Program?

I: It was truly priceless. Over the weekend I was able to see drastic and impressive changes in the children who attended the program. It was really effective to educate children through stories and games.

The children really got involved and participated and I know they will remember these life lessons forever.

S: Thanks – that's great feedback and insights. So how has SoulKids® changed you as an individual?

I: SoulKids® has helped me understand myself, children and also how I view others. I have a better control of my emotions and I don’t judge people at face value.

I am able to see beauty in any form, even in challenges and I am able to stay motivated despite the circumstances. With SoulKids® I am blessed to meet with like-minded people who participated in the program and I am very blessed to meet with Vikas and you (Sally) in person.

S: So what was your favourite lesson from SoulKids®?

I: I loved all the stories. My favourite was woody the woodpecker. I have always had problems in focusing on one thing at a time; I always enjoyed multitasking and can’t stop doing it. With this story I learned a valuable lesson in focusing on one task at a time and being able to complete the task. Also that hard work without focus will not guarantee completion or success.

S: So what are your visions and dreams going forward Iskandar?

I: My dream is to get as many children & adults to participate in SoulKids® Programs & SoulKids® Mentor Programs. They will certainly then have a very positive outlook on life and will be successful in life.

I believe that after SoulKids® they will be able to shape a better, positive and happy world.

S: Anything else you want to share with our readers?

I: For anyone reading this I would like to encourage you to join any programs offered by SoulCentre®. 

You won’t regret it and it will be a life changing decision for the better.

As of now I’m proud to say that I have already completed my SoulKids® Mentor Training, Meditation Made Simple (MMS) and Meditation In Action (MIA) and I plan on joining more programs offered by SoulCentre®.

And who knows I might be seeing you on one of this classes…if you do see me please come and say hello.

Many thanks Iskandar and we wish you, your wife and your mum every success with taking SoulKids® into Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this year.

SOULKIDS BOOK 5 IS LAUNCHED…

http://www.soulkids.org/index.php/shop.html

It was so exciting to meet some of the artists and their parents at the SoulKids Book 5 Launch Party. Sally explained the journey from the initial book idea to completion and demonstrated to the children that success is always about teamwork.

Together we all achieve more by working as a team.

The children were able to see how their original artwork eventually became part of the book design and their faces lit up with a feeling of pride and achievement.

SoulKids now has 5 best-selling books in its Self-Confidence Series and each book contains 10 inspiring stories with life lessons that remain with the children forever.

In celebration we are offering a special 20% discount if you order all 5 books. They make such a memorable and meaningful gift.

For more information connect with us at:

info@soulcentre.org

or

visit us at www.soulkids.org

Interview with SoulKids® Mentor - Simon

Hi everyone! My name is Simon (although I have been known as sausage and snail on the SoulKids® Programs!). Originally from the UK, I moved to Singapore with my wife and two sons in July 2014 after 11 years living and working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I love to travel and enjoy outdoor activities. 

In 2014, I completed a charity 7-day, 250km trek across the arctic circle with a team of Husky Dogs...awesome fun and one of the best experiences of my life. 

My SoulKids® journey started in November 2014 after attending a SoulKids® Mentor Training talk with Vikas. I immediately knew that the SK program fitted in with my values, contained inspirational life changing stories for young minds and.....sounded like lots of fun! Sign me up!

I was not disappointed! The SK Mentor training program was amazing...a real mix of activities, stories and games all focused on helping children cultivate a confident, positive, happy and open mind. As part of the training, the other Mentors and I got to be involved in a full weekend program where we all told stories, led activities and most importantly got to see how the children grew in confidence over the weekend. A special moment for me was sharing the experience with my son, who really enjoyed the whole SK experience and still loves reminding me of the lessons!

Since graduating as a Mentor, I have been involved in delivering both the full SK weekend and SoulKids® Quickstart Programs. It is so rewarding to observe how the children grow in confidence as they listen to the stories, take part in the activities and are able to share the lessons they have learnt. Very wise kids indeed!

SoulKids® is a transformational program and I am certainly looking forward to more stories, games and confident kids! 

Hope to see you soon for some SK fun!

- Simon

www soulkids.org

SoulKids awarded Best in Life Skills by Parents World

The SoulKids Journey with Sally & Vikas...

What exactly are Life-Skills?

As we go through school and college education, we are taught skills which help us "make a living."

English, Maths, Computing, Accounting, Law, Medicine ….

SoulKids teaches Essential Life-Skills to Children

Yet who actually teaches us "how to live a life?"

Who teaches us simple skills like :

• How to make friends with others 
• How to nurture lasting relationships
• How to work with others not like you
• How to speak with confidence and express our opinion 
• How to have the courage to speak our view 
• How to deal with negative situations (bullying, divorce, death) 
• How to deal with negative emotions (jealousy, anger, worry) 
• How to get up when life knocks us down 
• How to see that our inner thoughts can affect our actions
• How to focus on the positives in life and not get carried away with the negatives

SoulKids teaches Essential Life-Skills to Children

SoulKids teaches essential life-skills of happiness and success to children from 6 years upwards.

SoulKids is an award winning brand - voted 'Best Life-Skills Program' recently by Harpers Bazaar Magazine. Children learn through fun, games and stories. Children love it and they really get the lessons. The lessons stay with them for life.

We urge you to send your child to SoulKids, if you have not done so already.
The next program is on:

DATE:    Saturday, 7 November, 2015
TIME:     2 pm - 5 pm (with Zoe and Siok)
VENUE: SoulCentre/SoulKids Academy
               91 Bencoolen Street
               #12-04Sunshine Plaza
               Singapore 189652

For children from 6 - 10 years of age.

SoulKids® Creative Mindset - 27th September 2015

What is the main lesson that you learnt?

• To be creative and to think outside the box
• It taught me to be open minded
• It taught me to be passionate and creative in life
• It taught me to be positive
• It taught me to think differently – not like anyone else
• It taught me never to give up
• It taught me that there is more in me than I think
• Always to try new things
• To be confident
• Always to be happy
• To believe in myself and to be creative
• I learnt that when you work together more can be done
• I learnt to believe in myself

What words would you use to describe SoulKids®?

• Fun and caring
• Creative
• A great self boost
• Interactive
• Awesome
• Amazing
• Mind Blowing
• The Happy Land
• This girl is on Fire!
• Positive
• Confident
• Helpful
• Kind and so nice
• Creative
• Open Minded
• GRATEFUL to be on SoulKids®
• It’s the best
• Great and the best
• Kind – exciting – cool – so worth it
• Caring and fun ..I am so happy
• Super great and amazing
• Makes me excited
• Life lessons that are awesome – great and cool
• Incredibly magnificent

What would you tell your friends about SoulKids®?

• It can change your life and it is a great experience. It teaches you to be unique and strong and to believe in yourself. SoulKids® is a fun way to learn secrets in life. You better go !
• It’s awesome. My second FAMILY.
• You should go to SoulKids® because it can change your life
• It’s FUN… FUN… FUN…
• You should go to the best place in the world - SOULKIDS® !
• SoulKids® is EXTRA ORDINARY
• It’s so FUN – you must go at least once
• It is awesome
• It’s AMAZING
• You should definitely go to SoulKids® because its amazing
• Its really good fun and you learn a lot of things for life