How to Build Self Esteem in Children's Activities

Teach children inner strength in all their activities.

Growing up is difficult and it happens on a stage in front of critical audiences. Helping children to develop healthy self-esteem gives parents and teachers opportunities to provide children with tools that will last a lifetime. Address a child's insecurities about home, school and friends with positive reinforcement.

Instructions

1. 

   Help a child realize positive family contributions.

   Give children an opportunity to reflect on and evaluate their contributions to home, school and personal relationships. The website Edu Place provides an example of a self-esteem building activity. Ask your child to think about the different roles she plays in her life. Help the child by providing examples, such as "son," "brother" and "friend." Give your child crayons or markers and colored paper to draw pictures of how she thinks she looks in her role as a daughter, sister or friend. Place her art on your refrigerator or on a bulletin board. Update the roles as time passes and responsibilities grow.

2. 

   Children can experience low self-esteem in school.

   Guide your child through insecurity and anxiety regarding learning. When, for example, a child studies for and prepares to take a test, he may feel insecure about his intellectual ability. Spend time with your child as a parent and with your class as a teacher reminding him of his successes. Brainstorm positive learning experiences. Teach a child to balance school successes with difficult academic experiences. If your child makes a low grade, guide him to discover his errors. Show him how he can correct errors in the future.

3. 

   Friendships give children opportunities for self-evaluation.

   Teach your child to see herself as a valuable friend and family member. Children inevitably face uncertainty in their friendships. Help your child discover a sense of strength when turmoil erupts with friends. If your child suffers from schoolyard gossip, encourage her to learn that other children's opinions and unkindness cannot change who your child is. Encourage your child to find friends who treat her appropriately. When she and her friends are getting along, ask your child to make a list of the good things she brings to her friendships. Give her examples, such as generosity with her toys, the ability to make her friends laugh or to tell a fascinating story. Keep your child's list to show her when she and a friend have a falling out. Let her list remind her of her true nature.

References

• Edu Place: Education Center Activity All of Me