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In their Beginnings Workshop article, "Setting the Stage for Children's Success: The Physical and Emotional Environment in School Age Programs" (Exchange, March 2006), Karen Haas-Foletta and Lori Ottolini-Geno offer these ideas on helping build self esteem in a school age setting...

"Self-esteem is our ability to appreciate our own personal worth. Specifically, children indicate their self-esteem to us through their ability to socialize, make friends, be a positive influence on peers, cooperate in group activities, and follow reasonable rules. A child with high self-esteem has a realistic fear of new situations, but is able to experiment with new materials and social settings with confidence, demonstrates independence, and is creative, not hesitating to share freely his/her new ideas or creations. In sharing, the child displays a sense of personal pride and feels happy in this ability.

"School-age program staff have a responsibility to foster self-esteem in children in their program. We do this by:
• looking at each child as an individual
• keeping expectations realistic
• giving children the freedom to make mistakes
• building in opportunities for success
• giving encouragement
• accepting children’s unpleasant feelings and teaching them how to deal with them
• giving choices
• giving responsibility, expecting cooperation
• encouraging play and having fun"

Contributed by Exchange The Early Childhood Leaders' Magazine Since 1978

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