Two Wellington women who believe too many children are struggling with poor confidence and low self-esteem are tackling the issue in Tauranga this weekend.

Christina Longley and Tonia Kennedy began holding confidence workshops for children in Wellington last year and at the request of a Tauranga resident are bringing it to the Bay from August 31 - September 1.

Christina Longley and Tonia Kennedy are holding a one-off Tauranga workshop this weekend.

Confidence 4 Kidz aims to increase children's confidence through a range of techniques, including drawing, dancing and games.

'We use non-violent communication,” says Christina.

'We help them find a way of understanding their emotions at the time and identifying the need behind the emotion, such as why are they feeling angry.

'The focus is on wellbeing, emotional fitness and helping to understand the way feelings work.”

Christina believes too many children today suffer from low self-esteem driving them to view temporary setbacks as permanent, intolerable conditions that precipitates pessimism.

This places people at risk of stress and mental health problems, as well as real difficulties solving problems and challenges in their lives, says Christina.

She believes children respond incredibly to the programme, and hopes to one day take the initiative nationwide.

'We've seen such a great response from children with lots of different issues, including sleeping problems, struggling to supress emotions, marriage separation, or if they have interpersonal issues at school.”

While the weekend programme runs for just two days, Christina says the skills children learn can be used for life.

'If they practise them they can use them for the rest of their lives.

'These skills work. As a child, my self-worth was really low, and it was my journey that helped me get to where I am today, to where I can on-train people.”

Christina and Tonia developed the programme to incorporate their specific training and qualifications, which include art therapy, dance, Heartmass training, non-violent communication training and child yoga.

The course this weekend is at Tauranga KidzZone in Brookfield. It costs $160 per child and Christina is appealing for businesses to sponsor children.

'We're finding we're getting lots of enquiries for children who have the need but their parents can't afford it.”

The price covers necessary costs and the pair receive no financial gain from their efforts.

Visit www.c4u.org.nz to register or learn more.