Build Confidence With a Self-Portrait

Explain to your child that they will be creating a self-portrait. Most portraits are paintings or drawings of a person’s face. This one is unique because it will also include words, pictures, or photographs of things they like, their favorite activities and skills and talents they are proud of.

Help your child draw an outline of their face from the front or from the side. This can be done on a piece of paper, whiteboard, or chalkboard. Make an outline for your own face to show your child the importance of self-reflection at all ages. Encourage your child to add details that make them who they are — freckles, a gap between teeth, dimples or curly hair, for example.

Brainstorm with your child about what they like about themselves as well as what they believe are their special talents and skills that make them unique. To get started, you can share things about yourself that you like, such as being a good friend or making people smile. Encourage your child to write or draw pictures of their favorite things about themself somewhere on the portrait.

Next, brainstorm with your child about the activities that interest them and that they enjoy the most. Ask your child,“ Do you care about the planet and animals? Do you like to be active? Do you like to make things with your hands? What do you love to do? What do you find most interesting?” If your child is reluctant to share these with you, give them a hug and start the ball rolling by sharing a few things you think they are interested in. You could also ask them to role play, “What would your best friend say you do well? When you are playing together, what do you like to do together?” Encourage your child to write or draw pictures of their favorite activities and interests somewhere on the portrait.

If they worked on paper, hang up their self-portrait. Put it in a highly visible place so your child will be reminded what makes them happy and what they are good at! After looking at their creation, ask them what they did that interested them today. Tell them what you did that interested you. Take a photo of their work to remind them about their skills and what they enjoy. This will help them boost their self-confidence, especially on days they may feel sad or upset.

Optional: Let’s create a story about this self-portrait. Encourage your child to talk about what the person in the self-portrait will be doing in the future. For example, you can ask questions such as, “What are some things the person in this portrait will like to do in school when they get older? What will they do for fun? When the person in this portrait is grown up, what will they be doing? Where will they work? How will they change the world?”