Helping students build self esteem is an important part of every child’s development. Not only will they be able to have healthier friendships, but they will also do better academically. Teaching self esteem doesn’t have to be boring. Follow these 3 fun ways to teach self esteem to kids.
Quotes
Quotes are fun to use in lessons because they are like riddles. Students can choose a quote and try to say it in their own words. You can print quotes and post them around the room as a reminder. Introduce a “quote a month” throughout the school year to get students thinking about their confidence. These are some of my favorite quotes about self esteem that you could use with students.
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt
“Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment.” – Thomas Carlyle
“Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong.” – Peter T. Mcintyre
“True beauty is the flame of self-confidence that shines from the inside out.” – Barrie Davenport
“You can have anything you want if you are willing to give up the belief that you can’t have it.” – Dr. Robert Anthony
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” –Buddha
“Confidence is a habit that can be developed by acting as if you already had the confidence you desire to have.” -Brian Tracy
“Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” – Norman Vincent Peale
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“The most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence.” – Blake Lively
“Confidence comes with maturity, being more accepting of yourself.” – Nicole Scherzinger
“Experience tells you what to do; confidence allows you to do it.” – Stan Smith
“Never bend your head. Hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.” – Helen Keller
“If you are insecure, guess what? The rest of the world is too. Do not overestimate the competition and underestimate yourself. You are better than you think.” – T. Harv Eker
Positive Affirmations
Have students brainstorm things that they can do that make them proud. After they have a good list, have them repeat positive things about themselves in a mirror. Once they get past the giggles, they will learn a valuable way to appreciate their self-worth. You can also try this self esteem workbook filled with coloring pages and positive sayings.
Crafts
Students make deeper connections when they can express themselves through a craft. Create self esteem shields by cutting out 4 sheets of paper and tapering the bottom pieces into the shape of a shield. Glue the pieces together and attach a piece of construction paper to the back for an arm band. Students can cut out words that describe them from a magazine. They also list things that they are able to do that make them proud. Finally, they choose a quote that they like and place it on the shield. They can use their imagination to decorate the last quadrant. Check out the template.
I hope you and your students have fun trying these activities. You might also want to check out ways to boost self control in kids. Do you have a favorite way to teach self esteem? Please share in the comments.
If you need a ready to go activity to use with individuals or groups, check these out.
Want to read more about self-esteem journaling? Check out this amazing post by Positive Psychology.
