SELF CONCEPTAND

SELF ESTEEM

What is Self Concept -Self Esteem?

• Self Concept – the way we picture ourselves including our traits and values.

• Self Esteem – the way we feel about ourselves and our actions.

• TOGETHER THEY ARE THE TOTAL PICTURE A PERSON HAS OF HERSELF/HIMSELF

• Children are born with 100% self-esteem.

• Ask a child if they are pretty or handsome and they will probably say “YES!”– Clothes & Shoes: new or hand me downs– Hair - body - etc.

Someway, somehow society teaches us to hold back and doubt

ourselves a little.

Close your eyes & think about a baby

• Newborn – People say,“You are so cute!”

• When baby smiles and coos, rolls over, sits up, people say, “Just Adorable! Look at you!”

• But when they start to walk - fall down …What would happen if people said,“You are so STUPID! Why can’t you walk like a normal person!”

If encouragement and positive If encouragement and positive feedback slows down or stops feedback slows down or stops

altogether, the child mayaltogether, the child may

• Give up tryingGive up trying• Get embarrassed when he falls or makes a Get embarrassed when he falls or makes a

mistakemistake• Begin making excusesBegin making excuses

What types of things will affect a person’s self-esteem?

SELF CONCEPT

CYCLE

• A person’s self-concept is developed early in life and affects the way that person functions in his/her environment.

• Children develop self-concept through what they believe the important people in feel about them.

• This is expressed in the SELF-CONCEPT CYCLE:

AS I SEE MYSELF

MY ACTIONS

AS OTHERS SEE ME

OTHER’S REACTIONS TO

ME

“AS I SEE MYSELF”Is formed largely by our own perception of

what others think of us.

This influences

“MY ACTIONS”

My actions, in large part, determine

“AS OTHERS SEE ME”

And how they see me determines how

“OTHER’S REACT

TO ME”

Their reactions, again, influence

“AS I SEE MYSELF”

This is a continuous cycle in our

lives…

Some people have positive self concepts which make them feel capable and competent. Their actions demonstrate those feelings, and others react positively to their actions, which, in turn, validate those feelings.

Other people have negative self concepts which cause them to lack confidence in their abilities. These negative feelings affect their actions and other, in turn, will react negatively to their actions, this time validating negative self feelings.

So, you can see why it is extremely important to learn how to

help our children develop a POSITIVE SELF CONCEPT!

Ways to promote a POSITIVE Self-Concept

1. Treat children with LOVE & RESPECT

2. Provide SUCCESSFUL experiences

3. Object to BEHVAIOR - not the CHILD

4. PRAISE child for achievements

5. Avoid COMPETITION - always a loser / set individual goals

6. Let them ACHIEVE & EXPLORE - Make mistakes

7. Allow children to make CHOICES

8. Release emotions in + way

9. ENCOURAGE ACTIVITIES (art, music, sports, academics, etc.)

10.LISTEN to them

11.Clear EXPECTATIONS- Avoid power struggles

Ways to promote a POSITIVE Self-Concept

12.Encourage INDEPENDENCE “Don’t do anything for a child that he can do for himself”

13.Guide through LOVE not FEAR

14.Be a good ROLE MODEL15.Nick-names - be positive -

(we often become what we hear we are)

16.Let children “overhear” positive comments about them

HOORAY!HOORAY!

OOPS!OOPS!

Hugs & KissesHugs & Kisses

• Get in groups of 2-3

• Brainstorm positive comments or different ways to say “Good Job”