CAN WE GET ALONG and RISE ABOVE THE BUMPS and BULLIES!
Building Self Esteem For Students That Are Homeschooled
Is self-esteem defined differently for a home schooled child? The answer is no. Building self esteem for students who are homeschooled is same as it is with students in a classroom. We all desire to have success in the many relationships we will encounter in our life journey… relationships with self, siblings, parents, other family, school, community, and work. It is not always easy!
START AT THE BEGINNING
Let me present the nine SIGNALS researchers have identified as characteristics or ‘cues’ of self-esteem. www.theroadadventure.org.
Believe in yourself. Having confidence in your own abilities. Recognizing what you are good at and being confident you can improve where needed.
Know your wants and needs. Have clear ideas about what you want or need and be able to communicate these to others. Feeling worthy of love and approval. Accepting responsibility for your actions. Knowing what is really important to you.
Have good communication and listening skills. Open to taking advice and being open to change and new ideas.
Have flexibility. Being able to overcome challenges and disappointments in positive ways. Not dwelling on mistakes but instead having the inner strength to learn and grow from mistakes.
Be comfortable with change. Enthusiastically seeking out new opportunities to learn and grow by embracing new ideas. Getting out of your comfort zone is comfortable.
Have healthy relationships. Accept constructive criticism. Be comfortable with your own abilities and accepting of others. Do not put others down. Forgiving towards others.
Set goals. Being focused on self-improvement. Being good at setting goals and achieving them. Having a sense of purpose and direction which will then enables your confidence.
Laugh it off. Ability to laugh at ones silly experiences. Instead of fret and worry, you just laugh it off. You love life and are optimistic and positive.
Self-caring. Taking care of oneself physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Exercise and eat well. Clear negative emotions. Develop mentally through reading, learning new things. Grow spiritually through meditating, being in silence, or worshipping.
BUILDING SELF ESTEEM BEGINS AT BIRTH
Socialize children at a young age. As babies, spend lots of face time together. You are your child’s first playmate. Expand the socialization as your baby grows to other family members, children, and environments.
Use positive reinforcement.
Teach sharing. This doesn’t always mean a tangible item. Share a story or an activity. Point out sharing when you see it. Say ‘thank you’.
Be patient.
WHAT CAN I DO WITH MY HOMESCHOOLER TO BUILD THEIR FOUNDATION OF SELF-ESTEEM?
- Provide numerous opportunities to meet other children and adults. This will develop listening, sharing, and playing.
- Join a group that can be found through churches, gyms, or play centers.
- “It’s all happening at the zoo”: go on field trips in your community. Take other home schooled children as a group. Visit the ballet, symphony, museums, local courthouse…And DON’T FORGET, there are countless field trips available in the virtual world of the internet!
- Consider a sport or arts activity such as dance, theater, gymnastics, karate, track
- Consider team/league sports
- Provide travel opportunities
- Require community service hours such as assisting at an animal shelter, a retirement community, or helping other children
- Host events for other home school families
- Be a role model and teach how proper manners look
Building Self Esteem for Students That are Homeschooled appeared first on NutsAboutReading.com.
