Parents, teachers and guidance counselors can use activities to teach children and adolescents about self-esteem. Many children don't realize that when they criticize themselves, give up easily and think negatively, they are impacting their self-esteem and mental health. They also might not understand how to improve their self-esteem. The National Association for Self-Esteem reports a relationship between low self-esteem and aggression, eating disorders, substance abuse and poor school performance. So it's important for children to understand the concept of self-esteem.
Definition of Self-Esteem
Split the children or teens up into groups to help them learn the definition of self-esteem. Give each group a dictionary and a piece of poster board and ask them to find self-esteem in the dictionary. Instruct the kids to write the definition on the poster board. Then ask them to write it in a sentence on the back of the poster board.
Have each group share how they used self-esteem in a sentence. Correct them if they used the word incorrectly. After each group has shared, let the children decorate their posters and then hang them up around the room.
High vs. Low
Once children understand the definition of self-esteem, teachers, coaches and group leaders can take this concept further by differentiating between low and high self-esteem. Draw a line down the chalkboard or on a piece of poster board.
Ask the children or teens to provide signs of a person with high self-esteem and then ask them to give examples of someone with low self-esteem. Make sure they include things such as afraid of failure, blaming others, aggression, criticism and pessimism for a low self-esteem. Topping the list for high esteem are positive attitude, confidence, comfortable around peers and independent attitude.
Positive Affirmation
After teaching what the term self-esteem means, teachers and parents can educate kids more about it by giving them ways that they can improve their self-esteem. This activity encourages children to understand the importance of a healthy self-esteem and to work toward having a positive attitude.
Start the activity by letting the children know what a positive affirmation is. The National Mental Health Information Center reports that an affirmation is a positive statement that you make about yourself. Give them examples such as, "I'm a good person," and "I'm a good friend."
Have the children individually write down five affirmations, and then have each child pick one affirmation that he likes the best. Give children a sheet of paper and instruct them to write down their affirmation and decorate the page with stickers, crayons and colored pencils. Have each child staple his affirmation in the front of his planner or notebook, so he will see it on a regular basis.
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