Body Image + Child Development

Let’s talk about body image and child development.

Research has shown that negative thoughts towards body image can start as early as three or four years old. Three. Or. Four! If I could only save my girls from every heartache in the world, I would, although I know it’s not possible.

I talk to other parents, and they tell me stories of how their elementary-aged kids talk about how they don’t like the way they look, specifically their bodies. How it’s a topic of discussion while swinging on the swings and playing rope.

I remember first having negative thoughts about my body probably at the age of nine. So when I think about my job now as a mom of two little perfectly beautiful and unique girls, I’m really trying to actively change the narrative. I’m trying to teach them that all bodies aren’t the same, no body, just like the stars, is made to look the same. And just like the stars - their beauty comes from their differences.

I am intentional with the dolls I buy them.

I am intentional with the clothes I buy them.

I am intentional with my vocabulary.

I am intentional with my affirming words.

I am intentional with the books I read to them.

I am intentional with celebrating body diversity.

I am intentional with not shying away from answering questions.

I am intentional with showing them what their bodies can do, rather than only seeing what their bodies look like.

I am intentional with the way I talk about my own body, and the bodies of others.

I am intentional with the way they eat, and the way I describe and label foods.

I’m intentional with the way we describe others - we notice how they make us feel, what’s unique about them and what we find special about them.

I know that I am the most influential person in their lives. I know that what I say, teach, and model will have a positive impact on not only their own body image, but also on the way they view and respect others.

I’m raising two little girls in a world that feels pretty unknown to me. The societal pressures and unrealistic standards feel beyond my ability to handle sometimes. It’s more important than ever to be intentional with our children, to celebrate authenticity and differences.

I hope to always watch my girls embrace themselves wholly and unapologetically, to always see them twirling in their tutu dresses and mismatched shoes, to always see them embracing their dolls who look completely different from them, loving them no matter their size, color, shape, or abilities, and to always hear them tell themselves how beautiful, worthy, and special they are.

Thank you for reading.