# Why Girls Confidence Drops at 10 with Elle Wilks, Episode #170

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-child-psych-podcast-5748916/why-girls-confidence-drops-at-10-with-elle-wilks-episode-170
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-child-psych-podcast-5748916/why-girls-confidence-drops-at-10-with-elle-wilks-episode-170.md
Podcast: [The Child Psych Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-child-psych-podcast-5748916)
Published: 2026-02-18T13:34:56+00:00
Episode link: https://shows.acast.com/the-child-psych-podcast/episodes/why-girls-confidence-drops-at-10-with-elle-wilks-episode-170
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/6728bc98580049df8ffc39c7/e/6995c000e1d8773119a8fe66/media.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-child-psych-podcast-5748916/episodes/why-girls-confidence-drops-at-10-with-elle-wilks-episode-170
Duration seconds: 2128

## Resource

In this episode, we sit down with Elle Wilks, confidence advocate and co-founder of Fearless Girls Club, to explore a pattern many parents notice but don’t always understand: why girls’ confidence so often drops around age 10. This is the age when many girls shift from carefree self-expression to self-consciousness. Peer approval, appearance, performance, and social comparison begin to carry more weight. What once felt easy — speaking up, trying new things, being silly, taking risks — can suddenly feel loaded with fear of getting it wrong. Elle shares what is happening developmentally, socially, and emotionally during this stage, and how subtle messages about being “good,” “nice,” and “liked” can slowly disconnect girls from their authentic voice. We talk about the growing influence of friendships, perfectionism, school pressure, and the early impact of social media culture — even before many girls are officially online. Drawing from her work with girls and families through Fearless Girls Club, an award-winning UK social enterprise supporting girls aged 8–12, Elle explains how confidence isn’t built through lectures — it grows through experiences of courage, creativity, and connection. Their monthly themed activity boxes are designed to spark those moments, giving girls practical tools, stories, and creative challenges that nurture bravery, kindness, and self-worth in a hands-on, meaningful way. Most importantly, this conversation is packed with practical ways parents can respond when confidence begins to wobble. You’ll learn how to: • notice early signs of shrinking confidence • support bravery without adding pressure • shift conversations away from appearance and toward identity • help girls build resilience after social setbacks • create a home environment that prot…

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## Transcript

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