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Low self-esteem
SELF ESTEEM
Self-esteem refers to how much a person values himself or herself. It is about feeling capable as well as loved. A child who is happy with an achievement but does not feel loved may eventually experience low self-esteem. Similarly, a child who feels loved but is hesitant about his or her own abilities can also develop low self-esteem.
Self-esteem can change from day to day or from year to year and usually fluctuates based on the experiences that the child goes through, but, overall self-esteem tends to develop from infancy and keep going until we are adults. As children grow, they create a self-concept based on their interactions with others.
However, once adulthood is reached, it is usually difficult harder to make changes in the way a person sees and defines himself.
Children with high self-esteem feel good about themselves. They easily try to handle conflicts and resist negative pressures. They are generally pleasant, optimistic and accept their own mistakes. In contrast, children with low self-esteem don't feel good about themselves, don't think they are as good as others, they are hard on themselves and give up easily, they don't feel liked, accepted, or respected and usually expect to fail in any experience they get exposed to.
It is important that parents work extensively on developing and promoting their child's accurate and self-perception during childhood.
THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME TIPS THAT CAN HELP BUILD HEALTHY SELF-ESTEEM IN CHILDREN:
- Always encourage the child and show enjoyment in many areas. Avoid focusing on one specific area; for example, success at school.
- Never compare the child with other peers; friends or relatives
- Show the child that they love him and that he is valuable
- Stress on the areas the child is good at and positively focus on them
- Use positive reinforcement and praise rather than punishment whenever possible
- Never label the child in a negative way and be aggressive to him; whether verbally or physically.
- Let the children help around in the house
- Encourage them to pursue their interests
- Avoid over praise
- Let them make healthy risks that won't harm him/her, while keeping an eye; whenever and wherever needed
- Motivate them to make their own choices