What helps build a childs self-esteem?
• Exercise. Exercise helps relieve stress and makes children feel strong. • Sharing talents. A great reader can visit a younger class to share a favorite book. • Setting and reaching goals. • Learning new skills. Teaching others new skills. • Helping others. • New responsibilities and freedoms. • Positive thinking. • Activities that require cooperation (rather than competition alone). • Praise for a job well done or for good effort. • Being part of a team or club. • Being an important part of a family or group of friends. What hurts a child’s self-esteem? • Every child has low self-esteem at some time in his life. A child might feel bad after getting a low grade or having a bad game. • Criticism can make children feel bad. It can come from parents, siblings, teachers, coaches, or a bully. • Children often criticize themselves! They may feel like they aren’t good enough unless they’re perfect. • Children can be hurt by others’ expectations, too. Parents should avoid pressuring children
