Building Family Strengths: Self-Esteem (continued)

PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

Young children are sensitive to ridicule and like to mimic adult behaviors and are beginning to be concerned about how they look to others. Self-esteem can be fragile at this stage. Family members and teachers must provide a positive, caring and loving environment for preschool children. Having a high self-esteem can allow preschool children to make good friends, care about others, be responsible, enjoy learning, have pride, handle failures and share feelings.

ELEMENTARY CHILDREN

A sense of security is a prerequisite for self-esteem for elementary children. The child needs to be able to build a trusting relationship with family, teachers and peers. At this age, children have an increased sense of self and need to know who they can count on and trust. Parents, adults and teachers need to ensure that children feel that a positive and caring environment exists. They must feel valued for their individuality.

MIDDLE /JUNIOR HIGH ADOLESCENTS

Puberty presents quiet a challenge for selfesteem! Yet, this time can be an exciting and wonderful stage of development. Certain building blocks are necessary for self-esteem to prosper during this challenging time. Adolescents need to feel approval, trust, a sense of power, acceptance, responsibility and self-respect in order to grow into caring, competent and contributing adults.

SENIOR HIGH TEENS

Teens at this stage need to be equipped to be able to maintain control of their lives and deal with peer pressure. Positive self-esteem can enable them to cope with the day-to-day challenges and problems that are a part of this very pivotal stage in their lives. Self-reliant teens are able to look toward their futures with excitement and confidence while making plans toward meeting their life goals.

ADULTS

Adults with a healthy self-esteem that reflects a strong, vibrant and energized person can be successful in this rapidly changing and highly competitive world. Self-esteem is an important ingredient in improving not only your life, but also the lives of everyone with whom you come in contact in your personal and professional life.

SELF-ESTEEM

Family Activity

Positive affirmations boost an individual's self-esteem. Liking who you are is the key to positive self-esteem. The activity below can be a family or group activity or can be conducted on an individual basis. The following sentence completions can be cut in strips, folded and family or group members can take turns making positive affirmations.

1. I like myself because
2. I consider myself a good
   
3. I am most happy when
   
4. I like the way I feel about myself when
   
5. My goals for the future are
   
6. One of the most positive traits I have is
   
7. My friends respect me because
   
8. The person I look up to most is
   
9. People say I am a good
   
10. I have a natural talent for
    
11. I have a good sense of
    
12. The person that always makes me feel good about myself is
    
13. I know that I will be successful in life because
    
14. What I really enjoy most is
15. People often compliment me about

SUMMARY

Building a stronger self-esteem is one of the most important things you can ever do for yourself. You can change your life by changing how you feel about life. Families should consider the nourishing of self-esteem as a gift for generations to come. Capitalizing on their own family strengths can enable self-esteem to grow and prosper in family members regardless of age. Families should recognize and acknowledge their feelings, establish attainable goals, understand and respect individual differences, identify strengths, acknowledge weaknesses, and appreciate individual worth.

Prepared By: Brenda J. Thames, Ed.D., CFCS Extension Program Development Specialist Deborah J. Thomason, Ed.D. Extension Family & Youth Development Specialist