The 50 Best Self-Esteem Quotes for Kids to Inspire Confidence (2024)

Why do you need to know the best self-esteem quotes for kids?

High self-esteem in children, coupled with a strong caregiver support system, helps pave the way for resilience in the face of future life challenges.

As positive parents and caregivers, helping our kids grow in their self-confidence is a gift to last a lifetime!

Our favorite self-esteem quotes can support you in fostering the intrinsic motivation necessary for kids to develop into strong, confident individuals.

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What are Self-Esteem Quotes for Kids?

Self-esteem quotes for kids are inspirational, encouraging sayings intended to inspire self-confidence and self-love.

Children with high rates of self-esteem often adopt a growth mindset, meaning they possess the confidence necessary to tackle new challenges and rebound from mistakes.

Self-esteem forms when children:

• Feel seen and heard
• Recognize their own efforts toward a task
• Experience a sense of belonging and connection

Growing Self-Esteem Through Positive Parenting

Research consistently shows a correlation between a positive, authoritative parenting style and higher rates of self-esteem in children and adolescents.

When adopting a positive approach to parenting and discipline, caregivers are encouraged to give “recognition” over excessive praise to build intrinsic motivation.

As a result, kids learn to look within to affirm their accomplishments and feel proud.

The most impactful self-esteem quotes help children learn to fuel their own confidence, rather than relying on praise and affirmation from others.

Our 50 Favorite Self-Esteem Quotes to Build Self-Love in Kids

Let’s empower self-love with our favorite 50 self-esteem quotes for kids. These quotes aim to inspire children to love who they are and be confident in their unique selves.

Best Overall Self-Esteem Quotes for Kids

#1: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go.” -Dr. Seuss

#2: “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” -Dr. Seuss

#3: “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves.” -Marie Curie

#4: “The hardest challenge is to be yourself in a world where everyone is trying to make you be somebody else.” -E.E. Cummings

#5: “Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

#6: “One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” -Arthur Ashe

#7: “With realization of one’s own potential and self-confidence in one’s ability, one can build a better world.” -Dalai Lama

#8: “Write it on your heart you are the most beautiful soul of the Universe. Realize it, honor it and celebrate the life.” -Amit Ray

#9: “Self-confidence can be learned, practiced, and mastered–just like any other skill. Once you master it, everything in your life will change for the better.” -Barrie Davenport

#10: “The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.” -Walt Disney

#11: “Don’t try hard to fit in, and certainly don’t try so hard to be different…just try hard to be you.” -Zendaya

#12: “Always remember, you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” -A. A. Milne

Best Quotes about Self-Confidence & Happiness for Kids

#13: “Confidence is the most beautiful thing you can possess.” -Sabrina Carpenter

#14: “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

#15: “I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.” -Arianna Huffington

#16: “The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure.” -Joseph Campbell

#17: “You gain confidence, courage, and strength with every experience in which you look fear in the face. You must do things which you think you cannot do.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

#18: “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” -Oscar Wilde

#19: “Self-confidence must come from within. Outside reinforcement and strokes can help, but you have to build your own confidence.” -Steve Jobs

#20: “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” -Helen Keller

#21: “The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.” -Michel de Montaigne

#22: “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” -Mahatma Gandhi

#23: “Dig deep down inside yourself, you’ll find out what you need. Blue skies and sunshine guaranteed.” -Mama Odie, The Princess And The Frog

Best Quotes about Self-Esteem for Daughters

#24: “Self-esteem comes from being able to define the world in your own terms and refusing to abide by the judgments of others.” -Oprah Winfrey

#25: “If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” -Roald Dahl

#26: “Being comfortable in your own skin is one of the most important things to achieve.” -Kate Mara

#27: “Always be yourself, express yourself have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.” -Bruce Lee

#28: “Try to be like the turtle – at ease in your own shell.” -Bill Copeland

Best Quotes about Self-Esteem for Sons

#29: “Find out who you are. And do it on purpose.” -Dolly Parton

#30: “Don’t let the noise of other opinions drown your own inner voice.” -Steve Jobs

#31: “If you love yourself first, everything else will fall into line. If you want anything done in this world, love yourself.” -Lucille Ball

#32: “You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.” -Rosalynn Carter

#33: “If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” -Maya Angelou

Best Quotes to Boost Low Self-Esteem

#34: “Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create.” -Oprah Winfrey

#35: “Don’t live down to expectations. Go out there and do something remarkable.” -Wendy Wasserstein

#36: “You are the only person on earth who can use your ability.” -Zig Ziglar

#37: “Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” -Christian D. Larson

#38: “At the center of your being, you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.” -Lao Tzu

#39: “Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts.” -Albert Einstein

#40: “If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” -Vincent Van Gogh

#41: “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” -Maya Angelou

#42: “Yours is the energy that makes your world. There are no limitations to the self except those you believe in.” -Jane Roberts

#43: “I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence but it comes from within. It is there all the time.” -Anne Freud

#44: “Everything you want to be, you already are. You’re simply on the path to discovering it.” -Alicia Keys

Short Confidence Quotes for Kids

#45: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” -Henry David Thoreau

#46: “Your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude.” -Michelle Obama

#47: “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” -Theodore Roosevelt

#48: “With confidence, you have won before you have started.” -Marcus Garvey

#49: “True beauty is the flame of self-confidence that shines from the inside out.” -Barrie Davenport

#50: “When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. And when you have fun, you can do amazing things.” -Joe Namath

The last thing you need to know about the best self-esteem quotes for kids

As we strive to raise confident, resilient children, the power of caregiver connection is paramount.

When children feel safe within their support system, they are more likely to adopt the confidence to take risks, tackle challenges, and be true to themselves.

Our words, actions, and emotional presence as parents, caregivers, and educators hold the power to boost self-esteem.

Curious if your caregiving approach aligns with positive parenting?

I invite you to join the thousands of parents from around the world who have gained confidence by expanding their parenting toolbox through Such a Little While’sFREE 30-day positive parenting challenge:

You’ve got this!