Self-esteem in children involves feelings, emotions and a unique viewpoint of the world. You cannot see or touch it in a direct way but its effects are highly visible. The feelings children have about themselves influence behavior, affect life choices and play a large part in determining the path they take on their journey through life.
Identification
Self-esteem in children is not a thing. It is a belief your child holds about his worth as a human being. It is how he feels about the reflection of the person staring back at him in a mirror. Self-esteem is an image of self-worth and identity that begins developing at birth and links to the level of social and academic success your child will achieve. As children grow and mature they constantly develop, refine and redevelop a sense of self-esteem.
Characteristics
Most characterize self-esteem in children using the terms high and low. Characteristics of high self-esteem in children reflect a sense of trust and well-being. The appearance of these characteristics depends on the age and stage of development. They include independence, the ability to assume personal responsibility, try new things and take pride in accomplishments, tolerate some level of frustration and handle a range of emotions.
Characteristics that point to low self-esteem in children reflect self-doubt and feelings of being unworthy or unloved. These can include avoidance, emotional indifference and refusing to take responsibility for her actions. Also included are low tolerance levels in frustrating situations, a tendency to undervalue talents and abilities and behavior easily influenced by others.
Stages
Infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children present different stages in developing self-esteem. Infancy is a stage centered on building a sense of trust and security. Toddlers move toward independence in a stage where they start using the five senses to explore their world and begin developing a sense of self. The years between 3 and 5 make up the preschool stage. This is where personalities begin to develop, skills start to emerge and your child begins to develop personal interests. School-age children continue to refine and develop skills and take on characteristics of responsibility and tolerance.
Development
You can help your child achieve healthy levels of self-esteem. The Child Development Institute provides suggestions to educate you and benefit your child. Positive reinforcement and words of encouragement help your child feel special and appreciated. Look for situations where you can praise your child. When you do, use specific, descriptive words that tell your child what they are doing so well. Be careful with criticism and remember to criticize the action and not your child.
Potential
Robert Reasoner of the National Association for Self-Esteem provides evidence through a summary of research findings regarding self-esteem relationships. These include relationships between self-esteem in children and school achievement, crime and violence, teenage pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, moral decision-making and general health. Examples of findings include a University of California-Berkley study completed by Martin Covington that described how changes in self-esteem levels parallel academic achievement. In another study, Howard Kaplan conducted a long-term study of 3,000 seventh-grade students and found that low self-esteem leads to increased levels of anger and hostility and frequently results in violence. When it comes to decision-making skills, R.C. Whitely found a direct connection between morality involved in the decision-making process and levels of self-esteem.
