Summer is often seen as a time to relax, recharge, and take a break from school—but it’s also one of the best windows for personal growth. With fewer academic pressures and more flexible schedules, parents have a unique opportunity to help their children build real, lasting confidence. And with the new school year right around the corner, now is the time to give your child the tools they need to return to their academic endeavors feeling prepared, self-assured, and proud of who they are becoming.
Here are three key reasons why summer is the ideal season for building your child’s confidence, and how you can take advantage of it:
Space for Growth
During the school year, kids face constant demands: tests, homework, social dynamics, and tight schedules. In the summer, those daily stressors ease up, giving children more mental and emotional space to reflect, explore, and develop their self-esteem in a lower-pressure environment, giving them the flexibility to practice their confidence in a lower-stakes environment.
Parents can use this time to introduce confidence-building habits like trying new activities, setting small achievable goals, and celebrating effort over perfection. Whether it’s enrolling in a new class, learning a new skill, or simply encouraging independence at home, summer offers a calmer backdrop for kids to gain belief in their own abilities.
A group of Martial Arts Belt Testers does a set of ABC Taps during their test.
Trying New Things
One of the biggest confidence builders is simply trying something new and realizing you’re capable of more than you thought. Summer naturally invites new experiences—camp, travel, workshops, and enrichment programs. Plus, with school out of the mix, it gives kids the time and freedom to be able to dip their toes into something novel.
Parents can support this by guiding their kids out of their comfort zone in a safe, supportive way. From starting a new hobby to trying a new activity, the experience of facing a challenge and overcoming it—especially outside the school setting—can leave a lasting impression on a child’s self-esteem.
A White Belt student confidently raises her hand in class to answer a question.
Parent Presence
Kids aren’t the only ones who gain more freedom when school is out. Without the daily grind of drop-offs, homework, and packed schedules, summer also gives parents more time to intentionally pour into their children. Even small moments—like consistent morning routines, daily affirmations, or practicing communication skills—can significantly boost a child’s confidence.
Make time for regular conversations about goals, strengths, and even struggles. Let your child take the lead in activities or problem-solve with your guidance. These daily opportunities to encourage self-expression and independence help build the kind of confidence that sticks. Not to mention, a parent’s presence is one of the greatest resources available for helping kids grow in confidence and beyond.
Parents help their students practice blocking skills during MPAMA’s Parents’ Day Classes (April 2025).
The MPAMA Way
At MPAMA, we believe that confidence, like any skill, is something you build with practice, encouragement, and the right challenges. In every martial arts class, we empower our students by giving them clear goals, recognizing their efforts, and pushing them to grow just a little more every day. We use structured routines, positive reinforcement, and leadership opportunities to help kids of all personalities find their voice and believe in their own potential.
When Fall rolls around, our students go back to school standing taller, speaking up more, making new friends, and taking responsibility with pride. They don’t just return with sharpened kicks, but with sharpened character as well.
Conclusion
Summer doesn’t have to be a time when kids lose momentum, it can be the season they gain it. With just a little intention and the right environment, you can help your child strengthen their confidence and step into the new school year ready to succeed. Whether it’s through martial arts, family time, or new experiences, the investment you make in your child this summer will carry forward in the classroom and beyond.
Confidence is built—and this summer is the perfect time to start!