There aren't too many images in life as enjoyable as a child having fun doing something they truly enjoy. The look in their eyes and smile on their face will stay with you for years to come. This comes from a positive self outlook and the key to a child's self esteem and ultimately this kind of happiness lies in with their relationship to the parents.

Children of all ages require self esteem to feel good about themselves. They must believe that they are talented enough to realize their ambitions. More important than achievement, self esteem is also crucial to children's happiness. Only after someone is comfortable with themselves and believes that their abilities have worth will they truly feel fulfilled no matter how old they are.

Let's use dancing as an example. When children dance, they are given an opportunity to develop a positive self-image and the parents' role in this is probably the most important one. Here are some ideas to help build your child's self-esteem on and off the dance floor:

• Always be positive. Nothing will cut a child's self esteem deeper than a criticism. If you find something to criticize, look for five other things to praise.

• Use a little bit humor. Help kids laugh at their mistakes. Kids will lose interest fast if they don't think dancing is fun. Humor adds a touch of fun to anything. Laughing at their mistakes will also help them understand a mistake is just that and not the end of the world.

• Develop team spirit. There is that old sports saying that says "There is no I in TEAM. This holds true here, too. Help your child think in terms of "we" and not "me."

• If you start to feel frustrated with your child's lack of ambition or focus, take a step back from the situation and place yourself in her shoes. See the sport through her eyes. Listen and understand her feelings and wants.

• Involve yourself. Volunteer. Ask your child questions. Help her practice at home.

• Notice any and all progress, in both skill and effort. Praise your child for the effort, not for the outcome. Avoid criticizing your child's performance at a given task, and instead praise his/her enthusiasm or imagination.

• Try to praise specific details about what they did right or wrong. For example, don't say: "Mary you are a good sport." Try saying something like, "I liked the way you greeted the other team after the competition."

• Offer a good example. Never criticize yourself in front of your children and ALWAYS be a good sport yourself.

• Help your child set realistic, attainable goals. Don't under estimate what your child can or can't do. Never pressure her to do what she can't or doesn't want to do.

• The most important thing of all to do is to have fun. Fun, not winning, is what's most important to children. Having fun was the reason why your child started taking dance classes.

Many children develop self esteem as they grow. For others, it must be nurtured and tended and parents are the most important two people in the whole world at promoting their children's self esteem. Just one positive opinion is enough to make even the littlest chest swell with pride.