Body positivity is about accepting and appreciating every aspect of our bodies and recognizing the unique strengths we have as individuals. It is also about understanding that our worth is not tied to our appearance or what we have but is rather at the core of how we show up in the world.
Teaching kids to embrace this mindset can impact their self-esteem, peer relationships, mental health, and overall well-being. Here are some tips we have come up with.
A Few Tips to Cultivate a Healthy Sense of Body Positivity in Your Kids
Model the Behavior
In a time when social media is pervasive and sometimes can promote harmful views about body image, it is more important now than ever to teach kids the importance of a positive body image. Kids are impressionable, so teaching them about how they show up in the world is important. It is important to note that these babies tend to mimic what and how YOU talk about yourself…. There is no better way to teach this than showing, not telling, through actions.
This also includes your friends and family. Your girl squad is just as important as hers. The women we associate with also leaves impressions on your daughter. A great girl squad can help you with your message of body positivity. Your child is watching you. If you can’t love yourself, there maybe the possibility your child will not know what self love is and rely on others to provide it.
We asked @thatfatdoctor, Doctor of Clinical Psychology, their opinion on how parental behavior affects children. Katelyn states, “Children learn about the world through observing their parents. If they see a parent checking their body in the mirror, they learn to check their body in the mirror. If a guardian is hyper-focused on food, they will learn to judge themselves as if food has morality and what they eat determines their self worth. It’s a slippery slope that is to easily preventable – model love and tolerance and acceptance instead.”
Children are careful observers and often mimic the behaviors of the adults around them, so parents and caregivers need to be good examples of body positivity by speaking kindly about your body and others, avoiding self-deprecating comments, and focusing on what your body can do rather than how it looks.
Encourage Healthy Social Media Boundaries
Social media has become an impossible part of daily living to escape, and that is why it is important that children who have access to media are regularly monitored. With so many harmful ideas floating around on social media, it can be easy for children to get swept into the chaos and confusion of what is considered healthy and what isn’t. This is why appropriate adult supervision is important and necessary.
It’s important to talk to children, especially teenagers, about the lack of diverse body representation in TV, movies, magazines, and social media. If they don’t see themselves reflected in the media they’re consuming, it’s important for them to know that it doesn’t mean their bodies aren’t normal.
Most minors need the help of an adult to understand how media often portrays unrealistic body standards, and it will be helpful during these conversations to provide kids with other media outlets that celebrate different body types, abilities, and ethnicities.
Create a Positive Environment
Kids tend to thrive in environments where they feel accepted, nurtured, and celebrated. By creating an environment of understanding and acceptance at home, you can inspire young kids to be accepting and kind to themselves and those around them.
It’s a tough world out there. Rules and expectations are a part of life. Help your child understand there is nothing wrong with being different. Labels do not apply and she can be strong and beautiful at the same time. Part of growing up is learning about yourself and unfortunately, some of that learning comes from outside sources and it is not always body positive. Try to focus praise on internal attributes.
As much as possible, it will be helpful to encourage positive language about bodies and discourage teasing or negative talk about what other people look like, or even what they look like. By doing this, as a caretaker, you are making your home a safe space where children feel valued for who they are, not what they look like.
Teach Them How to Address Bullying and Negative Comments
Kids of all ages are incredibly resilient, but it is still never a bad idea to equip them with the necessary tools to navigate sticky situations. Children thrive better when they have effective strategies to deal with negative comments related to bullying and body image.
The world can be unkind, so teaching kids how to stand up for themselves and others firmly and respectfully is important. It will be important to encourage open communication so they feel comfortable sharing their experiences and asking you for support when those situations happen.
Teaching kids the importance of body positivity is a skill that needs a lot of patience, empathy and consistent effort. By giving them the skills that they need and laying a foundation for healthy boundaries with others, you aren’t only giving them mental and emotional tools to thrive; you are also preparing them to be confident and self-aware adults.
The author’s content and opinions have not been pre-reviewed, approved or endorsed by Discover.
