Self-Esteem Group Activities for Young People
Building self-esteem among children and young people can be a fun and interesting task. Although many children do not suffer from low self-esteem, it is quite common to be self-conscious among schoolmates or other children who have different qualities and hobbies. Self-esteem group activities can boost a child's self-esteem, while fostering new friendships.
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Inspirational Posters
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Have the group make inspirational posters to hang in a classroom or to take home and hang in their bedrooms. Gather art supplies, such as posterboard, markers, paint, colored paper, tape and glue. Ask the group to compile a list of inspirational quotes, such as "Because life is a gift, all of us are gifted." Once the children have come up with the list, they can decorate the posters with the inspirational sayings.
Self-Esteem Capes
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Give each person a large piece of paper, approximately 4-feet wide by 4-feet tall. This paper will serve as a cape, so you will need to cut a hole in it for the head. Once the hole has been cut, ask the child to write his name on the cape in big, bold letters. Then, have the children line their capes up against a wall. Give each child a marker and ask her to go to each cape and write on it two or three nice compliments about that person. This activity is a great self-esteem booster for children and it helps them feel close to the other children as well.
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"All About Me" Collage
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Ask the children to go through a large stack of magazines and cut out pictures of anything that relates positively to their life. They may cut out pictures of their favorite foods, sports or hobbies. They might cut out a picture of a celebrity they idolize or a career they yearn for. After the pictures have been selected, ask the children to make a collage with their pictures. Once the collages are completed, allow each child to present his collage to the group. Not only will this help strengthen the sense of self, but it may promote new friendships as children learn what they have in common with each other.
Good vs. Bad List
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Ask each child to write a list of 10 things she likes about herself; this is the "good list." Then, ask the child to write a list of five things she does not like about herself; this is the "bad list." After the children have completed their lists, have them share the lists with another child. Ask the two children to work together and come up with ways they can change the things on their "bad lists." For example, if one child says that he does not like that he can't throw a baseball all the way to second base, a possible solution would be to practice with friends or join a baseball team. You will often notice that once children talk about their problems with others and find valid solutions, they become more self-assured and confident.
It's All In A Name
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Give each child a large piece of paper and have them write their first name vertically on the paper. Next to each letter, ask them to write compliments about themselves that start with that letter. For example, a girl named Sarah could write: "Sweet, artistic, runs fast, awesome, helpful." You may also let them do this with their middle and last name if you choose. Once they are done, allow them to present the posters to each other. They can hang the posters up in a classroom or bedroom for a constant reminder of these compliments.
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