How to Build Confidence in Children: Lessons from a Founder
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Time to read 6 min
Every parent wants to raise a confident child, but understanding how to build confidence in children isn’t always straightforward.
Confidence doesn’t come from constant praise or perfection. It grows through small, everyday moments where children feel seen, heard, and safe to try.
And sometimes, the most powerful lessons about confidence happen when children are challenged to believe in themselves.
Recently, our founder Samantha had the opportunity to speak at Branksome Hall’s Noodle entrepreneurship program through YSpace, York University.
Table of contents
Samantha's Reflection on Confidence as Joeydolls Founder What Dragons’ Den Teaches About Confidence Why Confidence in Children Matters Ways to Build Confidence in Children Every Day How Play Builds Self-Confidence in Children Joeydolls and Confidence Through Play The One Message That Stays With You Join Our VIP List for Families Who Care About Culture FAQs Summary About The Author You May Also Like
Samantha's Reflection on Confidence as Joeydolls Founder
During the session, Samantha shared what it really felt like to pitch on Dragons' Den Canada.
The nerves.
The pressure.
The unexpected questions.
But more than anything, she wanted students to understand this:
"Confidence isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about showing up anyway."
As a founder building Joeydolls, her journey started from something deeply personal. Her story and the inspiration behind Joeydolls are rooted in a desire to create something she never had growing up.
She didn’t grow up seeing toys that reflected her culture. She knew how much that representation matters in shaping a child’s confidence and sense of belonging.
Today, Joeydolls is changing that by creating dolls that help children feel seen, valued, and proud of who they are.
For parents, the message is simple:
The small choices you make, the stories you share, and the toys you bring into your home can shape how your child sees themselves.
What Dragons’ Den Teaches About Confidence
Pitching on Dragons' Den Canada isn’t just about business.
It’s about learning to stay grounded when things feel uncertain.
Even when the questions are tough.
Even when you feel unsure.
"You don’t need to be fearless to be confident. You just need to show up and believe in what you’re building."
This is one of the lessons Samantha shared with students, and it reflects something important about children.
Confidence doesn’t come from getting everything right. It comes from being given the space to try, to speak, and to be seen.
Over time, those small moments shape how a child sees themselves.
"If I keep waiting for the perfect moment, I'll never get there. So you just have to show up and believe in what you're doing."
Why Confidence in Children Matters
Confidence shapes how children experience the world.
It affects how they:
• Express their thoughts and ideas
• Handle challenges and setbacks
• Build friendships and relationships
• Understand their own identity
A confident child doesn’t need to be the loudest in the room.
They simply believe:
“I belong here.”
And that belief starts early.
Understanding how to build confidence in children early can shape how they see themselves for life.
For parents raising children in multicultural families, this becomes even more important. Confidence is closely tied to identity, representation, and a child’s sense of belonging.
Ways to Build Confidence in Children Every Day
If you are looking for simple, meaningful ways to build confidence in children, it doesn’t require big changes.
It starts with small, intentional moments.
1. Let them try : Even when it feels hard. Even when they might fail. Confidence grows when children are given the chance to try for themselves.
2. Notice effort : Focus on what they are doing, not just the outcome. This helps them value progress, not perfection.
3. Give them a voice : Let them make choices. Let them express themselves. Feeling heard builds trust in their own thoughts.
4. Normalize mistakes: Mistakes are part of learning and growth. When children feel safe to make mistakes, they become more willing to try again.
5. Show them they matter: Representation plays a powerful role in shaping self-confidence. When children see themselves reflected in the world around them, it reinforces a sense of belonging.
How Play Builds Self-Confidence in Children
Play is one of the most natural ways children build confidence.
Through play, they explore identity, develop emotional safety, and practice communication.
But something deeper happens when children see themselves reflected in what they play with.
They feel seen.
They feel valued.
They feel like they belong.
If you’re looking for ways to build confidence in children, what they play with matters more than you think.
That is why what children play with matters.
At Joeydolls, each doll is designed to help children feel a sense of identity and belonging.
These are not just toys.
They are tools that support how children see themselves, express themselves, and grow in confidence through everyday play.
The right toys can shape how children see themselves.
Joeydolls and Confidence Through Play
Our mission has always been clear.
We create dolls that celebrate culture.
We create dolls that feel safe and comforting.
We create dolls that help children feel proud of who they are.
Because confidence isn’t just built through play. It’s built through understanding who you are.
And that learning happens in everyday moments. Through play, through stories, and through the activities children engage with.
The One Message That Stays With You
If there is one message Samantha hopes students take away, it’s this:
You don’t need permission to build something meaningful.
You just need to start.
And you need to believe in yourself.
Children need to hear this too, again and again.
Join Our VIP List for Families Who Care About Culture
If you believe in raising inclusive kids, our VIP list is for you.
When you join, you’ll receive:
Early access to new doll launches
Cultural stories and educational resources
Exclusive offers just for our community
It’s more than an email list. It’s a community built on pride and connection.
FAQs
How do you build confidence in a child naturally?
Building confidence in children naturally happens through everyday moments, letting them try new things without fear of failure, celebrating effort over outcome, and surrounding them with representation that reflects who they are. Play is one of the most powerful and natural tools for how to raise confident kids.
What activities build confidence in kids?
The best confidence building activities for kids include imaginative play, storytelling, role-playing scenarios, and cultural exploration. Giving children choices, normalizing mistakes, and using toys that reflect their identity all contribute to long-term self-confidence.
Why is confidence important for child development?
The importance of confidence in child development is profound. Confident children are more resilient, communicate more openly, form stronger relationships, and are better equipped to handle academic and social challenges. Confidence built early creates a foundation that lasts a lifetime.
How can parents raise confident kids?
Raising confident children starts with creating a safe environment where children feel heard. Practical parenting tips include giving children age-appropriate choices, praising effort rather than results, normalizing failure, and using representation, through books, dolls, and stories, to show children that who they are is something to be proud of.
Who is the Asian founder of Joeydolls?
Samantha Ong is the Asian founder of Joeydolls. She appeared on Dragon's Den Canada and has been featured on The Tao of Self Confidence podcast. Her mission is to create culturally representative dolls that help children feel seen, celebrated, and proud of who they are.
Summary
Confidence in children is built through everyday moments where they feel seen, heard, and supported
Confidence comes from taking action and believing in yourself, not from being perfect
Parents can build confidence by encouraging effort, giving children a voice, and normalizing mistakes
Play is one of the most effective ways to build confidence, especially when it supports identity and belonging
Joeydolls supports confidence through culturally representative dolls and learning experiences that help children feel proud of who they are
About The Author
Samantha Ong
Samantha Ong is the founder of Joeydolls, a Canadian-based toy brand on a mission to celebrate Asian cultures through joyful, inclusive play. Inspired by her own experiences growing up without cultural representation, Samantha designs dolls that help children feel proud of who they are while sparking curiosity and empathy in others. Since launching in 2023, Joeydolls has empowered thousands of families to bring culture, identity, and love into their everyday lives—one cuddle at a time.
