Decorate with portraits to increase your child's self-esteem

Decorating with portraits can do more than add warmth and beauty to a home, it can actually enhance a child's self-esteem. In her book "The Magic of Encouragement"(Morrow, 1990), psychotherapist Stephanie Marston suggests placing two portraits of a child next to the child's bed. One should show the child cheerfully involved in an activity that they enjoy (for instance, playing a sport or a musical instrument), and the other should show family togetherness (for instance, mother and child looking into each other's eyes). These images of a child being capable and being loved will be "the last thing before they sleep and the first thing they see when they awaken." Images speak louder than words, so these portraits can be a great asset in a child's development.