Self esteem is the way we feel about ourselves. When working out how we feel about ourselves, we compare how we see ourselves, and how we believe others see us, with how we would like to be.

Children & Self Esteem

What Is Self Esteem?

The following information is a summary from the NATIONAL SAFE SCHOOLS FRAMEWORK an Australian Federal Government initiative. It is based on the latest research and tackles what enables a safe and supportive school environment. Self Esteem is identified as an important factor in a child’s risk of bullying or being bullied.

Research has found:

• Children with high self esteem are as likely to have been bullied as compared to those with low self esteem.

Research has also identified that those with low self esteem report;

• More extensive bullying
• Higher levels of stress as a result of being bullied;
• More negative effects of this stress.

Significantly research has indicated that:

• It is children with genuinely high self esteem that are the most likely to support and defend children who are bullied.

How do we develop healthy self esteem in children?

• Positive messages from important people. – The positive and sincere feedback children receive from people who are important in their lives helps them to gain confidence through feeling loved and feeling that they belong and are accepted.

• Life experiences. – Dealing with success, failure and frustration as well as learning to take risks all help children develop their own self esteem.

• Developing the ability to problem solve, negotiate and cooperate facilitates the development of self esteem through the establishment of positive relationships.
• Developing empathy in the child

More Information

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