A Note on Self-Esteem in Children

Individuals build self-esteem beginning as infants and continuing through adulthood, learning to value themselves as a unique individuals and important members of society. Developing a healthy, positive self-image is important and will relate to a child's future in all facets of life; emotionally, physically and cognitively. Building healthy self-esteem means fostering a confident and proud child.

Children who feel good about themselves and have high self-esteem:

• Act independently and responsibly and are willing to try new things
• Can cope with positive and negative situations
• Are accountable and don't blame others for shortcomings
• Accept their best efforts proudly and don't dwell on failures
• Speak about themselves in a positive way
• Are empathetic and understand the needs of themselves and others

Parents and Caregivers of children can promote high self-esteem by:

• Giving praise often, but genuinely, in a detailed way. "I like the way you picked up the toys tonight. You found the right place for everything!"
• Modeling emotional responses appropriately; controlling situations by expressing feelings of sadness, anger, and happiness without overreacting negatively or positively.
• Encouraging children to find hobbies, volunteer or leadership opportunities that their children will enjoy and helping them "stick with it".
• Helping children identify conflicts and brainstorm resolutions, letting the child decide how they think the problem will best be resolved.

• Not comparing their child to other children their age, or other siblings.

Self Portraits and "I Like" Collages

Activity Description:

Self-esteem activities for children can help celebrate their uniqueness and what makes them special. Create a self-portrait or an "I like" collage with your child. Try making one portrait at the beginning of the year, and then another at the end. Frame them together for a beautiful handmade representation of your child, and hang it on the wall. Taking old magazines or photos to make an "I Like" collage will help your child identify things he likes about himself, or things he likes to do or believes he is good at. If he likes soccer, spending time family, drawing and playing with trucks, let him paste those things onto his collage.

Suggested Ages:

Young pre-schoolers (with assistance) and up

What is Needed:

• Art supplies for drawing or painting a self portrait; paper, crayons, chalk, markers, etc
• Old magazines
• Child sized scissors
• Glue or glue sticks
• Photos of your child you are willing to part with

Activity Directions:

1. Take a moment to look in the mirror with your child and ask questions about his physical features. Note eye color and hair color, and any other discerning features.
2. Allow your child to take the lead here. This is about building a positive self image, so if you child wants to paint himself on the soccer field because he believe he is good at soccer, that's great! However, for this particular exercise, it is a good idea to encourage your child to paint a realistic picture of himself, with arms, legs, and the correct hair and eye color.
3. Hang up the finished product, and talk about it with your child. Be encouraging and affectionate.
4. To make an "I like" collage, have your child cut out pictures of things he enjoys, or things he is good at. Again, let him take the lead here, and try to make suggestions only using positive statements: "I think you are really good at helping others could we cut out this picture of children helping each other pick up toys?"
5. Glue the pictures on a piece of construction paper and hang it somewhere where your child will see it.

Self Esteem Activities for Infants

Activity Description:

Even as an infant your child is beginning to develop the confidence that will help guide him through adolescence. Encourage a positive self image with some of these tips.

Suggested Ages:

Infants 3-12 months of age

What is Needed:

• A baby safe mirror
• Rattles or toys
• 2 - 3 scarves or small towels/napkins

Activity Ideas:

1. Try placing your baby on his tummy with the mirror in front of him. Observe as he begins to recognize the beautiful and unique person he is!
2. As your infant begins to grasp hands and toys, sit cross-legged on the carpet and place a rattle on one knee and your baby on the other. Encourage him to reach for the rattle and when he grabs it, celebrate with him! Seeing your pleasure helps build confidence that will be crucial in developing a healthy self-esteem.
3. Place one scarf over your infant's favorite toy. Place two others on the ground next to it, so they line up three in a row. Help your baby pull each scarf off until he "finds" the toy. Show your excitement in him finding the toy by holding it up, handing it to him, and kissing and hugging him. Each time you and your baby pull off a scarf without revealing a toy it helps promote confidence and displays perseverance that will be necessary in the future.

An Animal Hospital at Home

Activity Description:

Children who display leadership and confidence when dealing with adverse situations have a positive self-image and high self-esteem. In this self-esteem activity, children practice leadership skills, and will begin to understand the importance of empathy. This dramatic play opportunity is fun and easy to adapt to different ages and abilities. This is also a great activity for 2 children or more.

Suggested Ages:

Pre-School - School Age

What is Needed:

• Stuffed Animals
• Plastic Doctor Toy Sets
• Clipboards, pencils or crayons and paper for documentation of animals
• Doctors Coats (you can use white smocks or eve even large oversized white sweaters)
• Small animal cages or large plastic bins to keep the animals in after their check-ups or procedures
• An examining table (any table that is children's height), a small scale, and band-aids
• Plastic cameras (for taking "x-ray" pictures)
• Any other "doctors office items you may have (try decorating the space with some chairs to create a waiting room for patients; school-age children can print pictures of animal body parts to "reference" when performing surgeries

Activity Description:

1. Set up your Animal Hospital in a large space where children will have room to move around.
2. Allow children to interact freely and explore relationships between each other and the doctor/patient relationship. If they are having a difficult time getting started, join them and bring the first animal to the "doctor". Ask if they have a clipboard to write down important information.
3. Explain your situation and let them deal with the problem on their own. They can practice weighing the animals, take them to surgery, and will practice being empathetic while listening to your story, and handling an injured animal.
4. Children can take turns being the doctor and nurse, or doctor and patient. Leadership skills will be exhibited as they do this and deal with the "crisis situations that some animals may have experienced. It is amazing to watch the children take charge, and work together to help the animals to a full recovery!
   

Do you have a self-esteem activity to share? How about a self-esteem story about your children or children you care for? We would love to hear your feedback and whether or not you found this article useful. Please share below or email teachercare@teachercare.com .