Self-reflection – what would your child say to you if you asked them describe themselves? Would they be able to? Would they be able to think about how others may see them? Both are interesting questions and both very useful when it comes to how they see themselves versus how others see them. Sometimes it is not the same.
I have found that children are very good at self-reflection. They are able to verbalise what it is that other children may find annoying about them. That provides a great basis of what they need to do to improve themselves so they are nicer, kinder and have better interpersonal and life skills.
Self-reflection helps children develop their skills rather than just carry on doing things as they have always done them. It is about questioning what they do and why they do it. They can then decide whether there is a better way of behaving or interacting in the future. It could be that they stop making silly comments to friends so they are less annoying or they share more because they realise they are not very generous.
Self-reflection is an important part of learning. We need to stop and think, “Am I happy being like this? Is what I am doing working? Are people interacting with me in the way I like?” If the answers are ‘no’ then the child can change it.
Encourage your child to take some time out and think about who they are and what their friends would say about them. Help them to self-reflect so they can grow into the person they want to be and like.