Children who participate in physical activities learn to appreciate and become more aware of their bodies and their abilities. Children may experience a healthier sense of self as a result of learning physical and social skills during organized activities. As children learn new skills, it increases their confidence to try new things. When children feel good about who they are and value their bodies, they are also more likely to make healthier food choices.
Tips to building self- esteem in young children
- Acknowledge each child’s effort with positive comments; not just praise for an accomplishment.
- Teach children that learning new skills takes time and practice.
- Let children know they are valued for who they are; not what they do.
- Help children understand that mistakes are a natural and important part of learning.
- Create a sense of safety and security to allow children to try new things.
- Teach acceptance and respect for differences and other cultures.
- Show appreciation when a child is cooperative, helpful, or kind to others.
Activities adults can do with children to increase their self-esteem:
I Am Special!
Learning Outcomes
To foster a sense of positive self-esteem in children through creating an “I Am Special” flag
This activity builds the following skills:
- Creative Arts
- Language/Literacy
- Social Relations/Group Time
- Science/Cognitive
Description
- Talk to the children about all the things that they do well.
- Cut a piece of construction paper into the shape of a flag and have each child write his or her name on it, draw pictures or cut out pictures from magazines about their special talents and qualities.
- Attach the paper to the straw using tape or a stapler.
- Display this special flag for everyone to see!
Materials
- Construction paper
- Drinking straw
- Tape or stapler
- Crayons
Promoting Self-Esteem
Notes: Discuss with children the importance of being unique and that each child is special in his/her own way. At an early age, children can build their confidence levels and feel good about themselves if they learn to appreciate their individuality.
Thumbprint Animals
To foster a sense of positive self-esteem in children through creating a Thumbprint Animal picture.
This activity builds the following skills:
- Creative Arts
- Language/Literacy
- Social Relations/Group Time
- Science/Cognitive
Description
- Have each child place his/her thumb on an inkpad or colour it with a marker and make a thumb print.
- Have the children compare their thumbprints with each other.
- Discuss the fact that each thumbprint is special because it is totally unique just as each one of us is different (eg. our body shapes, colour of eyes, colour of hair, height etc.).
- Have each child create an animal using the thumbprint as the body.
Materials
- Paper
- Washable ink stampers or marker
- Crayons/pencil crayons
Promoting Self-Esteem
Notes: Discuss with children the importance of being unique and that each child is special in his/her own way. At an early age, children can build their confidence levels and feel good about themselves if they learn to appreciate their individuality.
"All About Me" Book
To foster a sense of positive self-esteem in children by creating an “All About Me” book.
This activity builds the following skills:
- Creative Arts
- Language/Literacy
- Social Relations/Group Time
- Science/Cognitive
Description
- Label 5 pieces of paper with different titles such as “My Family,” “My Favourite Things,” “My Favourite Foods,” “My Favourite Colour,” “My Favourite Physical Activities,” etc.
- Photocopy each paper and staple together to form a booklet for each child.
- Have each child design a cover page.
- Talk with the children about each category, and then have the children draw pictures or glue photographs or magazine clippings onto the appropriate page. For example if a child’s favourite colour is blue, have him/her draw pictures of blue things on the “My Favourite Colour Page.”
- Encourage the children to talk about what is in this book to family members and friends.
Materials
- Construction or colour paper
- Crayons, pencil crayons and/or markers
- Glue
- Photographs
- Magazines
- For adult /guardian use: stapler, white paper, access to a photocopy machine
Promoting Self-Esteem
Notes: Discuss with children the importance of being unique and that each child is special in his/her own way. At an early age, children can build their confidence levels and feel good about themselves if they learn to appreciate their individuality.
