How did Tate's kindness when he and Kya were children impact Kya in Where the Crawdads Sing?

When Kya is young, she is abandoned by literally everyone she knows. Even the school cannot be trusted, and Kya slips into a world of isolation. Her only sense of faithfulness comes from Jumpin and his wife. Still, there is no sense of familial love or acceptance in her life, so she hides in the marsh—from the world, from education, and from love.
Tate is the only person who shows her kindness and actively helps her to be happy. He teaches her to read with patience and praises her quick growth. Even he is sometimes taken aback by her lack of knowledge:

He looked at her. She knew more about tides and snow geese, eagles and stars than most ever would, yet she couldn't count to thirty. He didn't want to shame her, so didn't show surprise. She was awfully good at reading eyes.

As he learns more about her, Tate loves more about her. He takes note of her birthday in her family's Bible and surprises her with the first gifts she's ever received: a magnifying glass to look at insect wings, a clasp for her hair, and jars of paint for her art. His knowledge of her passions shows great insight and that he truly cares for her.
The time Tate invests into Kya gives her confidence and a sense of self-worth. She begins to view herself as a capable person—different than most but strong in her own right. Tate's kindness puts Kya's life on an entirely new trajectory.