• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Self-Esteem Activities for Youth

January 5, 2011 by ds_15457 Leave a Comment

Low self-esteem leaves children option to many social and emotional problems, such as anxiety, difficulty making friends or the inability to handle problems. Several activities give kids a chance to build self-esteem to create more positive feelings about themselves. Increasing self-esteem gives kids more security, purpose in life, responsibility and self-control. These activities work well in a group setting, such as classrooms or youth groups.

Writing Assignments

Specific writing assignments that focus on building self-esteem work well for kids in elementary through high school. One option is to use a journal and assign a different topic each day that would help build confidence. Ideas include writing about a time the child overcame a challenge, his talents, things he likes about himself, goals for the future and things in his life that make him happy. Doing these positive writing assignments periodically helps kids change their way of thinking and reminds them of the achievements in their lives.

Positive Statements

Positive statements help kids learn to talk to themselves in a constructive way. Like adults, children sometimes get caught up in negative talk. A child might say she can’t do something, she always messes up or a task is too difficult. Whether the child says the negative statements aloud or in her head, they eat away at her self-esteem. Brainstorm positive statements the kids can say to themselves instead of the negative self-talk. Writing those statements on sticky notes and placing them in spots where the kids see them frequently serves as a reminder to stay positive.

Posters

Art gives kids a chance to express themselves, which can help boost self-esteem. Unlike other school subjects, art is open to interpretation without the pressure of the outcome being right or wrong. A poster is a simple art project that works for a variety of age groups. Encourage the kids to create a poster about themselves, focusing on the positive aspects. Another option is to use the positive statements the kids brainstormed to create self-esteem posters to display for others.

Clubs

Participation in a club or organization gives kids a sense of belonging that can help improve self-esteem. Kids often get a chance to excel within a particular group, whether the organization focuses on sports, religion, music, acting or another hobby. The available clubs depend on the local area and the age of the child. Examples include Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H, sports teams or choir. Encourage kids to get involved in groups that interest them without making them feel pressured into doing something they don’t want to do.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Parenting

About ds_15457

Shelley Frost has been a freelance writer since 2007, specializing in parenting and education. Her work can be found on websites such as ModernMom.com and PreschoolRock.com. Frost holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education with a minor in reading from the University of Northern Iowa.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search

ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

Kissing Kids on the Lips: Fine or Not?

I recently read an article that says that parents should not … [Read More...] about Kissing Kids on the Lips: Fine or Not?

Must Have

ToniBox

Meet Toniebox – A Loveable Storytime Friend For Your Kids

If you are looking for something to occupy your children … [Read More...] about Meet Toniebox – A Loveable Storytime Friend For Your Kids

Did you know?

Health Benefits of Drinking Kombucha

The Health Benefits of Drinking Kombucha

Natural Remedies to Increase Sperm Count

Natural Remedies to Increase Sperm Count

I Bought Smoked Pork Chops & Don't Know How to Cook Them

I Bought Smoked Pork Chops & Don’t Know How to Cook Them

Clean the Smell From the Inside of a Leather Jacket

How to Clean the Smell From the Inside of a Leather Jacket

stop a new piercing from itching

How to Stop a New Piercing From Itching

Best Way to Cook Boneless Shoulder Steak

The Best Way to Cook Boneless Shoulder Steak

Freeze Cooked & Smoked Ham

How to Freeze Cooked & Smoked Ham

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2021 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.