We are all different shapes, sizes, and colors, each of us special in our own way. Blossom and Bud by Frank J. Sileo, PhD was written to help children respect, accept and appreciate how their own and others’ bodies are beautiful and different in their own ways. It was also written to foster discussion in a safe and comfortable environment with the caregivers in their lives.  Understanding individual differences and body diversity may help children build self-esteem, feel kindness toward themselves and others, practice healthy eating, have more realistic expectations of their appearance, and possess a healthy body image.  In his Note to Adult Gardeners in Blossom and Bud, Dr. Sileo provides information and suggestions about nurturing a positive body image in children. Here’s an excerpt with tips for fostering a healthy body image. Fostering a Healthy Body Image Examine your own attitudes -- Consider your own beliefs, attitudes, statements, and behaviors around weight, physical characteristics, food, exercise, and health. If we make statements like, “I hate my thighs,” “I need to lose weight before my birthday,” or “I hate my nose,” we convey that we are critical of our appearance, that a healthy body must be perfect, and certain sizes and shapes are unacceptable. Words are important, but back them up with positive behavior. Constant dieting, excessive workouts, or adjusting pictures for social media posts send negative messages about body image to your children. Focus on your child’s inner qualities -- Focus less on appearance and more on your child’s abilities, gifts, and skills. Have discussions about what it means to be a good person without focusing on appearance. Praise your child for inner qualities that make them special. Exercise for enjoyment -- Engage in physical activities without focusing on losing weight. Place your emphasis on what a body can do instead of what a body looks like or cannot do. Talk about healthy food choices -- Take your child shopping and talk about healthy food choices. Model making healthy food choices. Teach your child that having an occasional treat is fine. These foods can be enjoyed in small amounts and in moderation. Educate children about the media --Watch television and movies with your child, and look for advertisements together. Discuss how the media sells products and sometimes portray certain bodies as “ideal.” Explain how the media sometimes will touch up photos or use other tech to change people’s appearance.  Be mindful of bullying -- Children may get teased or bullied about their body or their appearance, but may not say anything about it. If you discover your child is being bullied, talk with them about it. Listen to what they have to say and watch for changes in their behavior, like refusing to participate in activities. Bullying rarely goes away on its own. It may require you to reach out to other adults to make a plan of action. Teach how bodies grow -- Communicate that everyone grows and changes at different times. Encourage your child not

We are all different shapes, sizes, and colors, each of us special in our own way. Blossom and Bud by Frank J. Sileo, PhD was written to help children respect, accept and appreciate how their own and others’ bodies are beautiful and different in their own ways. It was also written to foster discussion in a safe and comfortable environment with the caregivers in their lives.  Understanding individual differences and body diversity may help children build self-esteem, feel kindness toward themselves and others, practice healthy eating, have more realistic expectations of their appearance, and possess a healthy body image.  In his Note to Adult Gardeners in Blossom and Bud, Dr. Sileo provides suggestions about nurturing a positive body image in children. Here’s an excerpt explaining body image and when to seek professional help. We’ll post a second excerpt with tips for fostering a healthy body image. What Is Body Image? Body image is how a person feels about and views their body, which contributes to their own self-image. Children can develop a positive or negative perception of their body.  A child with a positive body image feels comfortable about their body. As a result, they display more confidence, take better care of their body, and have higher self-esteem. They tend to have more energy and engage in physical activities. A child with a negative body image tends to feel less satisfied with their body and may feel more anxious, self-conscious, and isolated from others. They may be more preoccupied with calories, weight, or food intake; unfairly compare themselves with others; have lower self-esteem; and engage in disordered eating. The way children see themselves and others may be based on standards set forth by others in their lives. It is difficult to ignore the images of the “ideal” body conveyed to our children by many forms of media. Peers can also be powerful influences on children’s perceptions of self. Parents and other adults in their lives may also be sending messages directly or indirectly about how children’s bodies should look and how they should feel about their bodies. There is a tendency in our culture to favor bodies that are thin, muscular, or “perfect.” Of course, a “perfect” body does not exist, and focusing on perfection can lead to frustration, disappointment, and other mental health issues. As parents and caregivers, we want to help encourage children to develop healthy mindsets and realistic expectations about their bodies, and to learn how to take care of their bodies through eating healthy and getting regular exercise. When Body Image Becomes a Growing Problem Being concerned about body image and at times being self-conscious about one’s appearance is a typical part of growing up. However, if you should notice your child becoming depressed being bullied struggling with their self-esteem skipping meals engaging in severe dieting withdrawing from others making repeated, negative statements about themselves like “I hate my body,” or “I’m ugly,” or engaging in self-harm behavior it is best to seek consultation with