Pick books to read to the children that depict kids of the same age experiencing difficulties with new experiences. Listening to how the protagonists overcame their troubles is an effective way to show examples to the children of how persistence and the willingness to succeed are keys to success.
Talk with the parents about the importance of reading age-appropriate books to the child. Explain that reading books to the child about three times a day is vital to how well the students succeed in school. Children who are read to frequently are quickly able to recognize letters, sounds and simple words, which builds their self-confidence.
Ask the children to identify characters, animals, colors and letters while you read the book. When a child points at the correct object, praise her. If he is incorrect, say something like, "Good try! But it's this one right here." Praise and encouragement to keep trying -- even though they fail at times -- helps build confidence.