Self Esteem by definition is a realistic respect for or favorable impression of oneself.
It’s very important for a child to feel good about themselves. Statistics show that children with low self-esteem tend to perform below their potential in school and make poor decisions in social situations.
Make a difference!
There are many things that can be done to help improve a child’s self-esteem:
Be Attentive-When your child speaks to you give them eye contact and listen make them feel what they are saying is important to you.
Make a child feel special-Praise children when they do a good job and also for trying hard. Tell children your proud of them when they put a lot of effort in something. Give complements and tell them that they are special.
See the learning in mistakes– When a child makes a mistake turn the negative into a positive. Focus on what he/she learned from the mistake.
Be a positive role model- If you are constantly hard on your-self, putting your self down or pessimistic your children will see that and may eventually copy those same feelings. This may lead to them to feel that way about themselves.
Tune in to their feelings- Sometimes this can be hard especially when a child has done something wrong and you yourself get angry and when to yell and scream. Sometimes a child doesn’t understand what they have done. I remember I was sitting on the couch and my 6 year-old niece came running through the room with both her middle fingers up yelling middle finger, middle finger I almost lost it but I asked her if you knew what it meant and she said no and said her friend at school was doing it. I explained what it was and she was surprised she said she didn’t know and never did it again.
Here are some kid approved self esteem activities:
Inspirational Quotes for Girls
50 Positive Writing Topics for Kids
Positive Thinking for Kids, Say this not that