Children's Self-Esteem

Children do not think of themselves in a good or bad way. They don't say 'How rude' when they accidentally let out a fart. Toddlers don't think 'Oh my, my legs look awful in this diaper.' Truth is children's self esteem is a result of the action of people around them. By encouraging babies when they learn how to take their first step or utter their first words will help boost their self worth. Simple positive statements such as 'Well done' or 'Good job' helps he or she feel more valuable and lovable.

As they grow, children attain larger roles in building their self esteem. Academic achievements like obtaining a good grade in a test or making the soccer team, though small in our eyes, are big achievements for these little ones. It is our duty, as adults, to reaffirm them. A child's family, coaches, teachers and classmates play significant roles in building her self esteem. They can help the child discover her abilities and her potential. They must always encourage him or her to keep on trying despite failing or losing out the first time. This will help the child be more confident when making decisions or achieving a certain goal.

A child with low self esteem is easy to spot. They tend to criticize themselves too much, think themselves not worthy of the job or they don't believe in their own abilities. This is likely to be a result of a dysfunctional family, a teacher who fails to encourage her students or bullying by other kids. Children tend to experience low self esteem when they come from a divorced home and may blame his or herself for the divorce.