SELF ESTEEM

Self esteem starts to develop very early in life. It starts from the time the child covers the development milestones, falling, rolling, and slipping... yet not yielding. They develop their self esteem by evaluating and reviewing messages received during their interaction with people around them such as parents, teachers, peers and so on. Of these parental involvement is the most important one in developing a child’s self-esteem.
During their formative years children get to traverse several uncharted territories... like the first time they go to school or play a game. Children with a high sense of self esteem moved ahead confidently through these phases whereas children with low self esteem will hesitate to venture into anything new and even speak negatively about themselves, like ‘I am stupid’ or ‘ I can’t do it’ and so on. They give up easily and would always wait for someone to take charge of them, whereas a child with high self esteem would easily tide over challenges and do things independently. They are optimistic and don’t label themselves. They believe they are able, accepted, wanted, having choices and capable of understanding. They involve in all activities.
Some children, with flawed self esteem, protect themselves with a mask which others want them to be. This is done to gain love and recognition from others who are important for his survival. This continues even when they become adults. It could also be that the child wanted to be like someone, so he pretends to be like that person who he has not yet become. This makes the child alienated from the person who he truly is. This is called ‘an adapted self’.
Even at this stage, there is room for change and preview. Find out which group your child belongs and help him to develop his self-esteem.


Read more on self esteem in the next posting