President and Mrs. Obama's daughters Malia and Sasha Obama are case studies in confident, self-assured children. The girl's distinct differences and confident personalities demonstrate the basics of strong self-esteem and poise.
You've all seen TV footage of Sasha and Malia throughout the Presidential campaign and inauguration. The news service has admired and acknowledged how secure and self-assured the Obama girls are - even those who haven't spoken to Sasha or Malia. The signs are visible and unmistakable.
What can we learn from this 7 and 10 year old? What makes everyone respond to them in such a positive way? Even if we have never personally spoken with them, how do we know that the Obama girls are self-confident?
Neither the cameras nor the attention of the entire world being on them seem to faze Sasha and Malia. Their posture is straight, facial expressions open and eye contact is steady through bright, interested eyes. They move with confidence.
Body language is a significantly large percentage of our perception of others' level of confidence. Statistically, the words we say are only about 7% of communicating our uniqueness. The other 93% is tone of voice, eye contact, diction and body language, with body language weighing in the most heavily.
Sasha and Malia always have heads held high, backs straight, shoulders open, faces accessible. Their steps are sure as they walk - even when walking in front of thousands of cameras before an audience of two million people!
Picture either one of the Obama girls when they are speaking to someone. Eye contact is solid; in fact both girls turn the whole face toward the person she is speaking to until the conversation is complete. The focus is on the other person. She is listening. The self-confidence evident in the open posture and eye contact is remarkable. Many seasoned professionals strive to portray what Sasha and Malia, at such a young age, display so naturally and consistently.
And yet they are typical kids. They like Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers, soccer and going out for ice cream. They complain that when Daddy gets home from traveling, he leaves his big old suitcase in the mudroom right where they have to trip over it!
What do you think allows these impressive girls to be so open and confident? There are some obvious answers. They have been in the public eye all their lives. Both parents present themselves with grace, charm, beautiful posture and faces open to hear what is being said, wanting to understand. Children learn by example. Clearly President and First Lady Obama have encouraged and nurtured them, empowered them and given them abundant love.
President Obama wrote a letter to his daughters, published in Parade Magazine, 1/18/09, that may give you some insight.
"These are the things I want for you-to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have." -President Obama
As curious as I am, I'm not going to speculate on the Obama's child rearing techniques. I am going to ask our First Lady, Mrs. Obama to engage in a dialogue with us about raising children with powerful self-esteem. My mission is to support confident, compassionate and committed youth in America.
Let's imagine a world where all of our children are as confident and positive as Sasha and Malia Obama.
www.nigeriastudents.com
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