Raising Children's Self Esteem in Schools

I had a child in art one time say,"I stink in art." I leaned down and sniffed him and said,"No, you smell fine." He laughed and he sat down to draw his picture after which I praised him for his talent and he looked forward to going to art after that. Whenever I hung his art up in the lunchroom to be seen by all, I always made a point to tell him that I did and that I gave it prime viewing space because he was so talented. It's so easy to reward them and give them that feel good feeling so that they want to continue to accomplish these things.

Before I moved from my home state, the school my son went to had an honors day for all the grades on the last day of school. Every single child in every single class received at least one award. Awards ranged from All A's to Best Handwriting. There was even a Best Smile Award. By recognizing children's accomplishments, we are giving rise to their self esteem and encouraging further accomplishments in the areas of award and others.

Likewise, by rewarding good behavior, the good behavior is reinforced and they want to show their good behavior to again be recognized for that achievement. If you don't let them know that you appreciate their effort, why would they bother. The only time they get attention is from bad behavior and so the pattern will ensue.

I have lunch with my children each day and their classmates are always telling me how they did on a test or how they played in a game. I go around high fiving everyone and tell them how fabulous they are and that I can't wait to hear about the next one. I go to as many of their games as I can and I cheer them on. They say they can hear me over the whole crowd cheering for them. I make it a point to let the kids know that I'm there and that I'm proud of them. When I walk down the halls at schools, they always stop to tell me the latest and greatest thing they did. It's a wonderful feeling to see them so happy and bringing that feeling of accomplishment to the classroom.

At my son's school, they had their first ever assembly for honor roll this month and I found it to be disastrous. It was only for 3rd through 5th. My son was one of only four in his grade to make all A's. The principal reprimanded us parents for cheering for our children. She said that it was not a sporting event and should be treated with respect. We were not supposed to clap for any child individually at all. We were to wait until all names had been called and them clap appropriately. Crazy, isn't it? I'm sorry, but when a child makes such an accomplishment, I'm not going to golf clap for him. I hooped and hollered and yelled, 'That's my baby!' And when it was a friend's child, I yelled, 'That's her baby!'

Kids are awesome! Tell them that they are and they will shine brighter than the sun.