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Mattering means children feel seen, heard, and valued, building resilience and self-worth.

Kids who feel they matter are less likely to engage in risky behaviors and have better wellbeing.

Starting early with small tasks and volunteering builds a child’s sense of significance.

Kids who feel they matter can ward off teasing and bullying more easily.

We all know that mattering is important. But what is it exactly? And how can we help our children to feel they matter?

Mattering is the sense of feeling valued (Cornwall, 2023). Children who feel they matter feel seen, heard, and important. This feeling is vital to their sense of personal significance, connectedness, and social acceptance, as well as being an important source of resilience and adaptability (Flett, et al, 2021 ).

When a child feels they matter, this forms a protective shield against the teasing and other forms of mistreatment that........

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