Growth and development: Helping your child build self-esteem
Why should you help your child develop healthy self-esteem?
Self-esteem affects all aspects—personal, family, and social—of a person's life. Adults who have low self-esteem feel that they do not belong, that they cannot learn and accomplish things, and that they do not have anything to contribute. They are handicapped in their ability to do well in the world.
On the other hand, adults who have healthy self-esteem are well equipped to succeed in life. They have the confidence to try new things and learn new skills. They are responsible adults, are able to cooperate well with others, and are happy.
- Helping your child feel that he or she has a place in your family will contribute to his or her ability to become a responsible adult.
- Helping your child feel that he or she has the ability to learn will contribute to his or her confidence in developing new skills throughout life.
- Helping your child feel that he or she can contribute to the family as a whole will make your child more likely to cooperate with other people and find ways to contribute to the well-being of his or her group or to society.
Test Your Knowledge
People who have low self-esteem do fine in life.
Adults who have healthy self-esteem have which of the following characteristics? (There may be more than one correct answer.)
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How you can help your child develop healthy self-esteem
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| Author: | Jeannette Curtis | Last Updated: April 17, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Mina Dulcan, MD - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry | |
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