Case Study: A Little Girl’s Journey to Confidence – From Tears to Triumph
When I first met this little girl, mornings were heart-breaking. Every day, she clung to her mum at the school gate, her tiny hands gripping tightly, tears streaming down her face. It wasn’t just reluctance - she was overwhelmed. Even after she made it into the classroom, she would sit on the carpet, her eyes brimming with tears, struggling to settle. Academically, she was doing just fine, but emotionally, she was fragile. Her self-esteem was low, and she didn’t believe in herself. School felt too big, too loud, too much. She found comfort in staying close to adults rather than playing with her peers. She needed more than encouragement; she needed trust, consistency, and a belief in her own strength.
I understood her mum’s struggle. As a parent myself, I still remember the first time I dropped my children off at school - that awful feeling of watching them walk away, hoping they’d be okay. And as a teacher, I now see it from both sides - the children’s uncertainty, the parents’ silent worries. It’s a privilege to be trusted with someone’s child, and I always tell my parents, I am a mother before I am a teacher. I knew this wasn’t just about helping the little girl - it was about helping her mum too. I reassured her that we were in this together, that her daughter was safe and loved at school. And so, hand in hand, we began the journey of trying to empower brilliance together!
Now, every teacher has a magic desk drawer. Mine was more of a treasure chest, filled with everything but the kitchen sink - stickers, a stress ball, a magic bag and wand, and one particularly special item: a magic stone.
One morning, after another teary start, I crouched down beside her and whispered,
“This stone has secret superpowers. If you hold it, it makes you brave.”
Her eyes widened.
“You don’t have to use it all the time,” I reassured her, “but if you ever need a little boost, you can come and borrow it.”
From then on, the magic stone became our thing. Sometimes, across the classroom, I’d feel her eyes on me. I’d look up, and she’d give me the tiniest nod. I’d call her over casually, and she’d whisper, “Can I see the stone?” or sometimes just slip her little hand into mine for a few seconds before heading back to her seat, a little braver than before.
But the magic didn’t stop there.
I gave her a special book, a tiny notebook just for her, where she could draw or write whenever she felt troubled. And where did we keep it? In my desk drawer, of course! One day, she pulled it out and showed me a page with a rainbow and the words: “I feel happy today.” That’s when I knew we were getting somewhere.
At the heart of her journey was a focus on three key areas from the Early Learning Goals in Development Matters:
Managing Self: Developing independence in everyday routines.
Building Relationships: Encouraging friendships and trust.
Self-Regulation: Understanding how to manage emotions, behaviour, and attention in different situations.
I gave her small responsibilities - handing out books, choosing the class story - so she could see that she mattered in our classroom. I also introduced positive affirmations, which we said together each morning:
“I am brave.”
“I can do hard things.”
“I am safe and I belong here.”
Slowly but surely, she began to believe them. One morning, everything was different. She let go of her mum’s hand at the door. No tears. No hesitation. Just a deep breath and a confident step forward. Later that week, during carpet time, she raised her hand. A small thing for some children, but for her, it was a huge milestone. Then, at playtime, she ran off to join a group of friends - without looking back.
Her mum? Oh, the transformation in her was just as incredible. Gone were the tearful goodbyes and worried expressions. Instead, she’d walk in smiling, her daughter skipping off without a single tear. One morning, her mum beamed at me and said, “I never thought I’d see the day.”
I smiled back. “She’s amazing, isn’t she?” Because she truly was.
This journey wasn’t about grades or academic success. It was about self-belief. About helping a little girl find her voice, trust herself, and know that she was capable of anything. Every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and confident at school. And sometimes, all it takes is a little patience, a lot of love… and a magic stone in a very well stocked drawer!
If your child is struggling with confidence or managing big emotions, you’re not alone - I’m here to help. With the right support, patience, and encouragement, every child can thrive. Let’s work together to build their self-belief and unlock their full potential.
