Body confidence and self-esteem are crucial to a child’s development, influencing how they perform in school, connect with friends, and feel about themselves. In today’s world, however, many children struggle with self-image at a very young age. Dove’s recent research reveals that low body confidence is becoming an increasingly common challenge for kids, showing just how important it is to encourage positive body image from the start.
Why Body Confidence Matters from an Early Age
Body confidence doesn’t just shape how kids feel about themselves—it impacts their overall development and well-being. According to recent Dove research, issues with body image can begin as early as age four, with 1 in 4 girls aged 4-6 already feeling unhappy with some part of their appearance. By the age of six, 1 in 3 girls say they wish they were thinner. These numbers show that even at this young age, many children are already feeling the pressure to look a certain way.
For children, a healthy sense of self-esteem is fundamental to becoming resilient and happy. Building a positive body image early on can help children navigate social situations with more confidence and protect them from unrealistic beauty standards that can lead to stress and anxiety.
Dove’s Research: How Low Self-Esteem is Affecting Kids
To understand the challenges kids face today, Dove conducted a global study titled The Real State of Beauty, surveying children aged 10-17 across 20 countries. The results were concerning: over 60% of girls said they felt a lack of confidence at school, specifically because of doubts about their appearance. This demonstrates how much self-esteem can influence their everyday lives.
Dove found that many young girls expect their appearance-based worries to grow as they age, which can eventually lead to deeper self-doubt and self-esteem issues. These insights prompted Dove to expand its mission and ensure body confidence education begins as early as possible.
Dove Expands Self-Esteem Program with Blippi
To support young children in building a positive self-image, the Dove Self-Esteem Project has partnered with Blippi, a beloved preschool brand, to launch an inclusive body confidence program for children aged four and up. Dove believes that introducing body confidence education to kids at this early stage is key to building their self-esteem and preparing them to face societal pressures with confidence.
The Dove & Blippi partnership aims to provide content that’s fun, engaging, and easy for kids to relate to while also giving parents and caregivers the tools to discuss body confidence with their children in a positive way. By starting this conversation early, Dove hopes to prevent children from experiencing low body confidence that can often carry into their teenage years and beyond.
What to Expect from the Dove & Blippi Body Confidence Program
Through their partnership, Dove and Blippi are introducing the first-ever Blippi body confidence movie, which will be available on Amazon and Netflix. In addition, Blippi’s YouTube channel will feature special episodes and exclusive music videos, all of which encourage kids to embrace their uniqueness and feel confident about themselves.
To ensure the program’s effectiveness, Dove collaborated with body image experts from the Centre for Appearance Research to develop this content. The result is a set of resources designed to nurture a healthy self-image in young kids and support parents in discussing body confidence in a way that’s age-appropriate and empowering.
Celebrating 20 Years of the Dove Self-Esteem Project
This partnership with Blippi comes at a time of celebration for Dove, marking 20 years of its Self-Esteem Project. Since 2004, Dove has been committed to building body confidence in young people, reaching over 114 million children in 153 countries through self-esteem education. This year, Dove will celebrate this milestone by hosting “Dove Day” on October 11th, International Day of the Girl.
On Dove Day, Unilever employees, Dove partners, and members of the wider Dove community will participate in workshops worldwide to teach body confidence to young students. These workshops aim to support girls’ self-esteem and raise awareness about the importance of building a healthy relationship with body image from a young age.
Join the Movement: Resources for Parents and Educators
If you’d like to be a part of Dove’s mission to foster positive self-esteem and body confidence in children, you can access free, evidence-based resources on Dove’s website at Dove.com/DoveSelfEsteemProject. These tools provide guidance and support to help children develop a positive body image and reach their full potential, ensuring that the next generation grows up with a healthy relationship with their appearance.
Through its ongoing efforts, Dove is committed to creating a world where children feel confident, empowered, and ready to embrace who they are. With initiatives like this new program with Blippi, Dove aims to help kids enjoy a positive relationship with the way they look and encourage them to confidently face the future.