Children with healthy self-esteem are more likely to resist negative pressures, handle conflicts easily and enjoy life, according to KidsHealth.org. Alternately, children with low self-esteem are apt to become anxious, frustrated and depressed. This condition can follow children into adulthood if you don't take steps to boost their self-esteem.
Causes
A child's self-esteem develops over time. His successes, failures, the way family members and authority figures treat him, and the way he interacts with his peers can all contribute to his self-esteem levels, according to the University of Texas at Austin's Counseling & Mental Health Center, or CMHC. Negative childhood experiences may result in low self-esteem. Such catalysts include verbal and physical abuse, teasing, harsh criticism, and experiencing failures in the classroom or on the sports field. Children who face ostracism or are expected to fit a certain mold also are at risk for low self-esteem.
Signs
A child who has low-self esteem generally is resistant to trying new things and uses negative words when referring to herself, according to KidsHealth.org. Such phrases as, "I'm dumb," and "I'll never get it," are common in children with low self-esteem. Low self-esteem also can cause a child to quickly feel disappointed in herself, making her more likely to give up easily or wait for others to help her. A child with low self-esteem perceives small or temporary setbacks as permanent and intolerable problems, according to KidsHealth.org.
Consequences
Since a child with low self-esteem consistently deals with feelings of stress and depression, he's more likely to have long-term problems forming and maintaining relationships, according to the CMHC. Low self-esteem often impairs a child's academic and job performance, and increases his risk of alcohol and drug abuse. If a child's feelings of inadequacy go unchecked, the negative consequences of low self-esteem can reinforce his beliefs about himself. This can result in increasingly self-destructive behaviors, according to the CMHC.
Boosting Self-Esteem
Although children are sensitive to personal failures and negative comments, they're also sensitive to their parents' words, according to KidsHealth.org. As a result, you can have a big impact on your child's self-esteem and future life success. Praise your child for all her efforts--rather than just her successes--to reinforce the idea that perseverance is more important than talent. Give your child sincere affection on a regular basis, in addition to showing interest in her activities and life problems, recommends KidsHealth.org. Provide her with constructive experiences that will improve her self-esteem. For instance, volunteer work may help her feel good about herself because she's helping others.
Get Help
If you think your child is suffering from low self-esteem, work with a family or child counselor, suggests KidsHealth.org. A counselor can help uncover issues that are preventing your child from having positive feelings about himself. He also can work with your child to re-route negative thought patterns.
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