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It can be a difficult challenge for children to make it through their younger years. Life is quite different than what it use to be.
It is easy for kids to doubt themselves and feel they do not belong. These feelings can lead to depression, anger, agressive behavior, withdrawl from peers, and argumentativeness. When a child feels as if they do not belong they can start to doubt their very worth. Children may develop low self esteem and begin to develop symptoms that can be puzzling to a caretakers. There are some ways caretakers can recognize when their child may be struggling with low self esteem. Further, there are also other identified ways caretakers can help their child combat low self esteem and help them build positive self regard.
What is, and how to recognize, low self esteem:
Self esteem can be said to be a low sense of self regard. You may notice a marked difference in your child's behavior ,and expression of feelings, directed towards themself and others.
As a caretaker it can be helpful to know what to look for, what symptoms are indicative of low self esteem in a young person. There is not definite manner in which to secure understanding if your child does in fact have low self esteem. However, there are some guidelines to help caretakers recognize when their child may be struggling with issues of self esteem. Some of the symptoms that define and can be used to identify low self esteem are:
1." Inability to accept compliments
2. Verbalization of self-disparaging remarks
3. Avoiding contact with adults and peers
4. Excessively seeking to please or recive attention and praise from adults and/or peers
5. Inability to identify or accept his/her positive traits or talents
6. Fear of rejection by others, especially in the peer group
7. Acting out in negative ways that are quite obviously attention seeking
8. Difficulty saying no to others"
(Walter J Lonner, 1999).
Specific activities caretaker's can do with their children to help them improve their self esteem:
There are some activities caretakers can do with their children to help them be able to combat the influences of low self esteem, and learn skills in improving their sense of self. Some of the following are a list of specific activities caretakers can try with their children to work on self esteem issues. Help your child....
1. "Identify positive traits and talents about themself
2. Develop the ability to identify and verbalize feelings
3. Increase eye contact with others
4. Identify accomplishments that can improve self image
5. Develop the ability to identify and express verbally his/her needs
6. Show recognition verbally or in writing of the secondary gains from negative behaviors
7. Take responsibility for daily self care tasks that are developmentally appropriate
8. List specific things he/she can do to build self esteem and ways to implement each
9. Positively acknowledge and verbally accept praise or compliments from others
10. Develop positive self talk messages to build self esteem"(Lonner, 1999).
With a caretaker's support and guidance, the chances of helping your child help themselves build a positive sense of self esteem increase. Trying these activities frequently and consistently; making a routine out of enhancing self esteem can be beneficial for both your child's self esteem as well as your relationship with your child. Lastly, there is the potential for these activities to facilitate a closer relationship and build communication between caretaker and child. In essence this type of a relating pattern may even open up the possibility for your child to seek you out in the future when they need someone to talk to about their inner struggles.
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