Fostering Self-Esteem in Children<\/h1><\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhether as adults or as children, we constantly judge ourselves. The quality of this judgement decides the level of self-esteem we have.<\/p>\n
Self-esteem\u00a0<\/strong>is a measure of how we value and perceive ourselves. It is a judgement on ourselves. Feeling less worthy about oneself can hinder our lifestyles and slow down our growth process. Self-esteem can be described as a combination of feeling loved and capable. With a balanced self-esteem one can have a happy and successful life in all aspects, be it school life, relationships, academics, family, profession, etc.<\/p>\nSelf-esteem fluctuates as a child grows. It is frequently changed and fine-tuned, as it is affected by a child\u2019s experiences and new perceptions. As parents, we need to observe our children, and through their behavior and mannerisms, we can understand what the child is experiencing. \u00a0It helps parents be aware of the signs of both healthy and unhealthy self-esteem.<\/p>\n
![\"father-with-daughter-e1465890283263\"](\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20200429131320im_\/http:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/dwmomuuw9\/image\/upload\/f_auto,q_auto\/gyanpro_images\/\/2018\/08\/father-with-daughter-e1465890283263-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSigns of Healthy and Unhealthy Self-Esteems<\/strong><\/p>\nA child who has healthy self-esteem tends to enjoy interacting with others. His comforts in social settings, easy mingling, enthusiasms and different interests exhibit the healthy state of mind.<\/p>\n
When challenges arise, a child can work towards finding solutions. When a child knows his\/her strengths and limitations (improvements) and accepts them, a sense of optimism prevails. The child enjoys group activities as well as independent pursuits. A child happy with his\/her achievements but not felt loved will eventually have low self-esteem. Similarly, children who feel loved but are doubtful about their own abilities can end up feeling poorly about themselves. Healthy self-esteem results when both aspects are achieved.<\/p>\n
A child who has unhealthy self-esteem may not want to try new things. He frequently speaks negatively about himself, saying such things as, \u201cI\u2019ll never know how to do this,\u201d or \u201cWhat\u2019s the point of doing this, when nobody cares about me anyway.\u201d He shows a low tolerance for defeat, gives up easily or waits for someone else to take over. Children with low self-esteem see temporary and minor setbacks as permanent and unbearable conditions. In part, this is because these setbacks form a pattern for them. Such children do not expect much from others, such as invitations to do things together. A sense of pessimism predominates.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a0Some symptoms of low self-esteem are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nSymptoms*<\/strong><\/td>\nUsual statements\/display of behavior by the child<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nFeeling hopeless<\/td>\n \u201cI can\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nSensitivity to criticism<\/td>\n \u201cEverybody scolds me every day.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nSocial withdrawal<\/td>\n Refraining from social settings like get-togethers or plays<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nHostility<\/td>\n \u201cTeacher always catches me.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nAggression<\/td>\n Shouting, loud voice, back-answering, verbal\/physical abuse<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nBlaming oneself unfairly<\/td>\n \u201cI am unlucky\u201d \/ \u201cIt\u2019s all because of me.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nHating oneself<\/td>\n Injuring oneself \/ self-mutilation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nWorrying about being unable to do things<\/td>\n \u201cHow will I do this\u201d \/ \u201cWhat can I possibly do?\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nExcessive preoccupation with personal problems<\/td>\n Unable to accept one\u2019s own looks\/physical appearance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nFatigue, insomnia and headaches<\/td>\n Sleeplessness, laziness, constant complaining, nagging etc.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Whether as adults or as children, we constantly judge ourselves. The quality of this judgement decides the level of self-esteem we have.<\/p>\n
Self-esteem\u00a0<\/strong>is a measure of how we value and perceive ourselves. It is a judgement on ourselves. Feeling less worthy about oneself can hinder our lifestyles and slow down our growth process. Self-esteem can be described as a combination of feeling loved and capable. With a balanced self-esteem one can have a happy and successful life in all aspects, be it school life, relationships, academics, family, profession, etc.<\/p>\n Self-esteem fluctuates as a child grows. It is frequently changed and fine-tuned, as it is affected by a child\u2019s experiences and new perceptions. As parents, we need to observe our children, and through their behavior and mannerisms, we can understand what the child is experiencing. \u00a0It helps parents be aware of the signs of both healthy and unhealthy self-esteem.<\/p>\n Signs of Healthy and Unhealthy Self-Esteems<\/strong><\/p>\n A child who has healthy self-esteem tends to enjoy interacting with others. His comforts in social settings, easy mingling, enthusiasms and different interests exhibit the healthy state of mind.<\/p>\n When challenges arise, a child can work towards finding solutions. When a child knows his\/her strengths and limitations (improvements) and accepts them, a sense of optimism prevails. The child enjoys group activities as well as independent pursuits. A child happy with his\/her achievements but not felt loved will eventually have low self-esteem. Similarly, children who feel loved but are doubtful about their own abilities can end up feeling poorly about themselves. Healthy self-esteem results when both aspects are achieved.<\/p>\n A child who has unhealthy self-esteem may not want to try new things. He frequently speaks negatively about himself, saying such things as, \u201cI\u2019ll never know how to do this,\u201d or \u201cWhat\u2019s the point of doing this, when nobody cares about me anyway.\u201d He shows a low tolerance for defeat, gives up easily or waits for someone else to take over. Children with low self-esteem see temporary and minor setbacks as permanent and unbearable conditions. In part, this is because these setbacks form a pattern for them. Such children do not expect much from others, such as invitations to do things together. A sense of pessimism predominates.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0Some symptoms of low self-esteem are:<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"father-with-daughter-e1465890283263\"](\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20200429131320\/http:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/dwmomuuw9\/image\/upload\/f_auto,q_auto\/gyanpro_images\/\/2018\/08\/father-with-daughter-e1465890283263-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n
\n Symptoms*<\/strong><\/td>\n Usual statements\/display of behavior by the child<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Feeling hopeless<\/td>\n \u201cI can\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Sensitivity to criticism<\/td>\n \u201cEverybody scolds me every day.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Social withdrawal<\/td>\n Refraining from social settings like get-togethers or plays<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Hostility<\/td>\n \u201cTeacher always catches me.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Aggression<\/td>\n Shouting, loud voice, back-answering, verbal\/physical abuse<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Blaming oneself unfairly<\/td>\n \u201cI am unlucky\u201d \/ \u201cIt\u2019s all because of me.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Hating oneself<\/td>\n Injuring oneself \/ self-mutilation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Worrying about being unable to do things<\/td>\n \u201cHow will I do this\u201d \/ \u201cWhat can I possibly do?\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Excessive preoccupation with personal problems<\/td>\n Unable to accept one\u2019s own looks\/physical appearance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Fatigue, insomnia and headaches<\/td>\n Sleeplessness, laziness, constant complaining, nagging etc.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n