Low self-esteem in adolescents may be one of the causes of problems in our society, according to Lilian Katz, author of "How Can We Strengthen Children's Self-Esteem?" Causes of low self-esteem are still under debate, but some of the common theories include peer opinions, stereotyping, judgment of outward appearance and prejudice. Parents, educators and other adults in children's lives can help boost self-esteem.
"Me" Brochure
A self-esteem activity recommended by Debbie Cook, CTRS, CLP, of New Hampshire Hospital is a "Me" brochure. Start with colored paper and fold it into thirds. The child should decorate the front of the brochure with his name and some pictures. Inside the brochure, he should list things that he wants others to know about him, such as favorite activities, best features or most memorable moments. He should then paperclip the brochure shut and pass it to the child to his right, who should write something he likes about that person on the back of the brochure. Continue passing the brochure around until each child has had a chance to write a comment. When each child gets his brochure back, he can read the nice things that others wrote about him.
Interviews
An effective self-esteem activity at the beginning of a school year or camp session is interviews. Each child should find someone she doesn't know very well and then each spend about five minutes interviewing the other. Afterward, the children should take turns sharing what they learned about their partners. This introduction allows each child a moment in the spotlight.
Who Am I?
Anne Ecklar of the Dettmer Adolescent Residential Center recommends a self-esteem activity called "Who Am I?" You'll need a large roll of paper, scissors and markers. Each child should lie down on the paper, while another outlines his shape and cuts it out. Write the name of the child on his shape and ask everyone in the group to write something positive about him on his shape, as well as something positive about themselves on their own shapes. Display the shapes and then send them home with the children so they can hang them on their bedroom doors or walls.
Collages
You'll need poster board, magazines, scissors and glue for this activity. Each child should flip through magazines and cut out pictures that represent something from her life, such as houses, people to whom she looks up, careers to which she aspires or anything to which she can relate. Next, she should glue the pictures onto her poster board and write her name on the back. Hang the collages and have the other students guess to whom each collage belongs.
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