Child SelfEsteem Training

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Child Self-Esteem Training

• byNeil Callahan4-H Extension Agent

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What Is Self-Esteem?

• The degree to which children feel accepted and
  valued by adults and peers who are important to
  them.
• Self-esteem is developed from within a person and
  shaped as well by the people around them (Katz,
  1995).

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Self Worth

• Self worth is multi-faceted. It is not just
  one thing. Children may feel good about one
  aspect of themselves and not good about another.
  Here are some examples of feelings children have
  that effect their self worth
• Success in school.
• Making and keeping friends
• Athletic skills
• Physical appearance

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Trust

• Developing a sense of trust in the people who
  care for them is the first important stage of
  developing a sense of self in children.
• Adults who are warm and caring help children lay
  the foundation for a healthy self concept.

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Negative Reinforcement

• When we hear words like, Shut up! What do you
  think youre doing?
• we may not venture a try the next time.
• When we are yanked by the shirt or arm and told
  to sit down and shut up.
• we may feel we have done something wrong by
  simply being.

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Positive Reinforcement

• When we are given a caring touch on the shoulder
  or a hug that says some cares.
• we may feel good about who we are and think good
  thoughts.
• When we hear words like, Great Job! You have
  worked hard.
• we may want to work even harder.

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What Helps Children Mature With A Positive Sense
Of Self

• Age- With age, a child will learn increased
  control, gain memory, develop cognitively, and
  learn language and a sense of how to plan for the
  future.
• Follow through- Follow through is very important
  when it comes to children. Always do what you
  say you will do.
• Modeling- Adults need to serve as positive role
  models. Your actions should reflect this.
• Feeling in control- Provide children with
  age-appropriate choices. Offer two choices you
  can live with, and give the child an opportunity
  to learn to make decisions by choosing.

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Strategies For Nurturing A Positive Sense Of
SelfSchool-age Children

• Respect a childs strengths, and they will
  respect you.
• Help the child set goals, and then link ongoing
  efforts with success.
• Examine values. Self-esteem is grounded in what
  a person values.
• Identify and talk to children about feelings.
  Show you care even if you can not do anything
  about the problem.
• Model healthy ways to express anger.
• Model acceptable behaviors such as kindness,
  safety, manners, cooperation, sharing, and
  empathy.
• Value a childs opinion and respect him or her as
  person.
• Help children develop an internal sense of
  self-control.

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Strategies For Nurturing A Positive Sense Of
SelfTeenagers

• Keep talking to teens even if it seems they do
  not listen or care.
• Talk to teens about making good choices and about
  the many ways you can express how you feel about
  others.
• Help teens to start planning for the future.
• Use humor when appropriate when dealing with
  teenagers.
• Build on their interests by finding outlets for
  their talents.

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Quick Self-esteem Builders

• Help a child plan something.
• Help a child identify and explore a hobby.
• Be available to the children when needed.
• Help children learn more about proper hygiene.
• Answer their questions the best you know how.
• Respect their needs.
• Use positive reinforcement through positive
  statements.
• Do something together with a child.

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Reflections Of A Teacher

• Ive come to the frightening conclusion that I am
  the decisive element in the classroom. Its my
  personal approach that creates the climate. Its
  my daily mood that makes the weather. As a
  teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a
  childs life miserable or joyous. I can be a
  tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.
  I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all
  situations, it is my response that decides
  whether a crisis will be escalated or
  de-escalated and a child humanized or
  dehumanized.
• 
  
• Haim Ginott from Teacher
  an Child, 1972