Building Healthy Self-Esteem
Our relationship with the surroundings determines whether we have high or low self-esteem. For children, self-esteem matters most on how they socialize with other children. The level of self-esteem is determined by how kids are treated by their parents and the level of acceptance by other children (Berns, 2016). In this scenario, it’s evident that Simon is suffering from low self-esteem. As said, self-esteem is developed by how a child is accepted in the other group. For Simone, despite the effort she puts to be accepted by other children in their dramatic play, she ends up being offered the least interesting roles. Secondly, her parents are very “cold” to her. Her mother is too busy taking care of her infant sister while her dad has never taken her to school. Comparing her scenario with those of other children, she feels neglected and unloved, which lowers her self-esteem.
Developing positive self-esteem to a child is essential for the healthy development of the kid. Children who have high esteem feels confident and can try new things and do to their best. They enjoy what they are doing and cope with mistakes whenever they arise. Children with high self-esteem do not give up, and they try again and again after failing. As a result, high self-esteemed children have better results in school, at home, and when with other kids.
As a child-hood professional, I have a role to play in enhancing self-esteem in children. First, I can raise child esteem through praising and recognizing their effort. Praising is not only on the child getting “As’’ but for a progressive achievement from a low grade onward. Secondly, avoiding overpraising. It will be wrong to praise a child for an effort that he feels he was below average. However, I will offer support and reassurance that he will perform better in future. Therefore, I can say self-esteem in a child is not inborn but can be built through proper socialization both at home, school, and in the community.
Reference
Berns, R. M. (2016). Child, family, school, community: Socialization and support (10th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.