Overconfidence in children has often resulted in disasters in their educational and social life. Overconfident children seldom heed to the advice of their parents and teachers and often land up in unforeseen trouble.

Children who have healthy self-confidence tend to enjoy interacting with others. They are comfortable in social settings and actively participate in group activities as well as independent pursuits. They are also willing to pursue new interests. When challenges arise, these children rise up to the occasion and are able to work towards finding solutions. They voice their discontent without belittling themselves or others. But the situation is just the opposite in the case of overconfident children.

Teachers find arrogant and overconfident children difficult to deal with. Overconfidence in their abilities leads them to be less careful in assessing their own uncertainty and the consequences of mistakes when completing tasks. Because they are overconfident, they do not take the time out to assess and think of what they need to do to ensure no mistakes are committed. They perhaps just assume that they would automatically do well.

Parents also have a hard time warning over-conceited children about things which may lead to unfavourable consequences such as an imminent danger. For example, when an electric appliance stops working properly, children are the first ones to lend their hand in mending it. Overconfidence in these children leads them to run the risk of a life-threatening electric shock that might strike in case of a slight wrong move.

These children see smaller milestones of success at school (such as scoring better grades in 1st term exams) or at home (such as being able to operate the computer) as an indication of infallible expertise or a sign of their growing up. They begin to perceive success as a destination and not as a journey.

These smaller achievements prevent overconfident children from further pursuing their endeavours in the field, taking success for granted. They become lax in their studies or in their efforts in other areas.

Ultimately these children fail to attain success levels achieved as earlier. They also tend to lose out on good friends and acquaintances due to their arrogant behaviour.
Therefore, overconfidence in children needs to be seen as a serious problem.
 

• Children do not listen to the suggestions from their parents and teachers.
• The are less careful in assessing their own uncertainty and the consequences of mistakes when completing tasks.
• They do not take the time out to think of what they need to do to ensure no mistakes are committed.
• These children wrongly believe that they are perfect.
• They begin to perceive success as a destination and not as a journey.
• Small successes make these children complacent and they quit pursuing their endeavours more diligently.
• Ultimately these children fail to attain success levels as achieved earlier.
• They lose out on good friends and acquaintances due to their arrogant behaviour.

Overconfidence is a behavioural problem. Kids who receive general rather than specific praise about their abilities are more likely to exhibit overconfidence. Too much generalised adulation such as “You are smart”, “You are a good boy”, etc. lead children to focus on the reward rather than what they are learning.

Similarly, excessive pampering can also cause to cultivate fake ego among children.
Parents who themselves have ego problems affect their children as well. These children begin to develop a false ego around them which manifests in the form of overconfidence.

Therefore, the upbringing of children plays an important role in determining whether they are going to grow out as self-confident or overconfident.

Praising and appreciating children are important for building their self-esteem which is the cornerstone of education. Achievement will naturally follow if children believe in themselves and work confidently. But appreciation does not always produce better students.

Parents should be specific rather than general when they dispense praise. Failure can be devastating and confusing for children whose confidence is based on an inflated ego, rather than their actual abilities.

This does not, however, mean that parents should not praise their children or that teachers should not try to engender self-confidence. Praise should be showered but only when deserved or required. Self-esteem should be the result of good grades and achievement, not false accomplishments.

Parents should avoid mixing their love for their children with excessive pampering. Superficial love in the form of excessive compliments, gifts, etc., can lead to a false sense of security and overconfidence among children.

Parents themselves should exhibit healthy confidence in their abilities which then can permeate the psyche of their children and help them become confident not over-confident individuals.

In case, you have tried all the above suggestions and still have questions on lack of confidence in your children, you can get a practical solution from Jiva. Jiva makes use of the know-how of its expert educationists and the wisdom of Ayurveda to provide you consultation for these kinds of problems. Please feel free to contact Jiva at 0129-4088152 or write to us at asksteve@jiva.com. We will try our best to give a solution to your child’s problem with our expertise.