Pause and Reflect with Buckaroo Buckeye. How does low self-esteem/self-confidence look?
Here, Buckaroo Buckeye is beginning to believe the hurtful words of others.
His self-confidence is weakening.
Low self-esteem can place kids at risk. Low self-esteem increases stress and can create difficulties for kids to solve the different kinds of problems and challenges they encounter in their life journey. They may not want to try new things. They may say negative things about themselves.
Taking responsibility and pride in who you are is a sure sign of healthy self-esteem and self-confidence. This is the greatest gift parents can give to their child!
Parents can promote healthy self-esteem during childhood by showing encouragement and enjoyment in MANY areas. Avoid focusing on one specific area like their score on a test. This can lead to your child feeling that they’re only as valuable as their test scores.
One important building block for self-esteem and self-confidence is learning to RESPECT others, as well as yourself.
Respect includes…
- Learning to be tolerant and accepting of differences
- Learning to use good manners and no bad language
- Learning to be considerate of the feelings of others
- Learning to not threaten, hit or hurt anyone
- Learning to deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements.
PARENTS, HERE ARE TWO FUN ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH YOUR CHILD TO TEACH THEM ABOUT RESPECT!
1) Watch a half hour TV show together.
Who was respectful or disrespectful?
Can you make a list of things people said or did in the show that were disrespectful?
What about those that showed respect?
2) Use old magazines, or clip art on the computer, or take your own photos,
or use a combination of these sources to make a collage that shows ‘respect of others.’ Use at least five images.
Resources:
Charactercounts.org/character-counts-overview/six-pillars
Buckaroo Buckeye: A Little Nut with Big Dreams by Kristin Anderson Cetone