Developing Self Esteem - Children & Adults

Why is Self-Esteem so important?

1) Healthy self-esteem is like a child's armor against the challenges of the world. Kids who know their strengths and weaknesses and feel good about themselves seem to have an easier time handling conflicts and resisting negative pressures. They tend to smile more readily and enjoy life. These kids are realistic and generally optimistic.

In contrast, kids with low self-esteem can find challenges to be sources of major anxiety and frustration. Those who think poorly of themselves have a hard time finding solutions to problems. If given to self-critical thoughts such as "I'm no good" or "I can't do anything right," they may become passive, withdrawn, or depressed. Faced with a new challenge, their immediate response might be "I can't."

2) This website offers further reading on Self-Esteem.

 What is self-esteem? Links to an external site.

3) Now you will have the opportunity to evaluate your own self-esteem.

National Association for Self-Esteem - Rate Yourself Links to an external site.

4) Finally, developing self-esteem in children as an educator, or caregiver, is an essential part of their early development. Listen to this Podcast on the subject.

"I Like ME!" - Developing Self-Esteem in the Early Years Links to an external site.