Building a Child’S Self Esteem Valentine’S Day Activity
Building a Child's Self Esteem Valentine's Day Activity
Who should teach our children the power of love on this special day?
Ah Valentine's Day! As a parent, I did my best not to articulate to my children that for years I loathed, nay dreaded the day. I can pinpoint my first disappointment in third grade; we were to bring a valentine day card for everyone in the class. I enthusiastically complied, but somehow went home with fewer cards than some other kiddos. Who can forget the middle school years when the one most desired, utterly expected, and prayed for, did not arrive? Was I the only one holding my breath when student council sold carnations and delivered them to our homerooms publicly pointing out who was and wasn't so popular?
Parents want their child to develop positive self-esteem. There is a direct correlation between feeling good about self, accomplishments and a child's growing belief they are capable human beings. We know the value in developing positive self-messages yet many children struggle accepting praise and become uncomfortable with positive feedback. Parents strive to build an armory of long and short-term strategies to enhance well being in their children. Engaging in activities that promote confidence will allow your child to practice saying encouraging affirmations every day.
These types of esteem building games may cause a level of discomfort, but here is a fun activity that is a win-win for both child and parent.
I Art You!
SUPPLIES:
2 sheets of construction paper
Marker, pencil or crayon
Ruler
HOW-TO
€ Draw 2 large hearts on each piece of paper and cut them out. You should have 4 hearts.
€ Use a ruler to draw 4 lines forming 8 triangles (like pizza slices).
€ Place 2 hearts on the wall (1 for each person) reserving the other hearts for later use.
€ Take turns writing a true statement in each triangle that focuses on each person's qualities. Example:
o Tom is brave because he tries new foods.
o Alicia is a good friend because she shares.
o Sam makes good decisions on the playground.
o Emma is caring with animals.
€ When done, let each person read the statements on their heart out loud in a strong assertive voice making them €I€ statements. Example:
o I am brave.
o I am a good friend.
o I make good decisions.
o I am caring.
€ Write these €I€ statements on the second heart.
€ Place the hearts in a place the child will see every day and have the child say the affirmations in the morning and at bedtime.
This can easily be adapted to the classroom by setting time aside for children to say a positive statement of their choice. Adults should participate in this activity, modeling their affirmations in a strong assertive voice and encouraging the child to do the same.
Children get the most out of what they accomplish on their own and will get more from affirmations that focus on their undertakings. Capturing these successes alleviates the temptation to engage in false truths.
Creating an environment in the home that promotes children being comfortable saying good things about self and believing they are capable is the key to positive behaviors. A child that trusts in their abilities increases good decision making, independent thinking and goes a long way toward a positive outlook and a healthy child. This fun activity will foster relationship building, well being and create an environment conducive for a child to practice affirmations.
On Valentine's Day my parents would tuck a card into my notebook, slip a pack of M&Ms in my backpack or mortify me with a picture on my lunch bag napkin. Stick figures and smiley faces with one declarative message; you are so beautiful (with musical notes), or best girl ever (image of our dog and paw prints.) Fortunately, the kind teachers made sure we brought home heart regaled artwork to our parents.
Why wait for Valentine's Day to celebrate the universal day of love and St. Valentine, patron saint of bee keepers and young children. See a correlation here? My parents were showing their love by nurturing my self-esteem and proved that as for Valentine's Day, well I was bigger than that.
Who should teach our children the power of love on this special day?
Ah Valentine's Day! As a parent, I did my best not to articulate to my children that for years I loathed, nay dreaded the day. I can pinpoint my first disappointment in third grade; we were to bring a valentine day card for everyone in the class. I enthusiastically complied, but somehow went home with fewer cards than some other kiddos. Who can forget the middle school years when the one most desired, utterly expected, and prayed for, did not arrive? Was I the only one holding my breath when student council sold carnations and delivered them to our homerooms publicly pointing out who was and wasn't so popular?
Parents want their child to develop positive self-esteem. There is a direct correlation between feeling good about self, accomplishments and a child's growing belief they are capable human beings. We know the value in developing positive self-messages yet many children struggle accepting praise and become uncomfortable with positive feedback. Parents strive to build an armory of long and short-term strategies to enhance well being in their children. Engaging in activities that promote confidence will allow your child to practice saying encouraging affirmations every day.
These types of esteem building games may cause a level of discomfort, but here is a fun activity that is a win-win for both child and parent.
I Art You!
SUPPLIES:
2 sheets of construction paper
Marker, pencil or crayon
Ruler
HOW-TO
€ Draw 2 large hearts on each piece of paper and cut them out. You should have 4 hearts.
€ Use a ruler to draw 4 lines forming 8 triangles (like pizza slices).
€ Place 2 hearts on the wall (1 for each person) reserving the other hearts for later use.
€ Take turns writing a true statement in each triangle that focuses on each person's qualities. Example:
o Tom is brave because he tries new foods.
o Alicia is a good friend because she shares.
o Sam makes good decisions on the playground.
o Emma is caring with animals.
€ When done, let each person read the statements on their heart out loud in a strong assertive voice making them €I€ statements. Example:
o I am brave.
o I am a good friend.
o I make good decisions.
o I am caring.
€ Write these €I€ statements on the second heart.
€ Place the hearts in a place the child will see every day and have the child say the affirmations in the morning and at bedtime.
This can easily be adapted to the classroom by setting time aside for children to say a positive statement of their choice. Adults should participate in this activity, modeling their affirmations in a strong assertive voice and encouraging the child to do the same.
Children get the most out of what they accomplish on their own and will get more from affirmations that focus on their undertakings. Capturing these successes alleviates the temptation to engage in false truths.
Creating an environment in the home that promotes children being comfortable saying good things about self and believing they are capable is the key to positive behaviors. A child that trusts in their abilities increases good decision making, independent thinking and goes a long way toward a positive outlook and a healthy child. This fun activity will foster relationship building, well being and create an environment conducive for a child to practice affirmations.
On Valentine's Day my parents would tuck a card into my notebook, slip a pack of M&Ms in my backpack or mortify me with a picture on my lunch bag napkin. Stick figures and smiley faces with one declarative message; you are so beautiful (with musical notes), or best girl ever (image of our dog and paw prints.) Fortunately, the kind teachers made sure we brought home heart regaled artwork to our parents.
Why wait for Valentine's Day to celebrate the universal day of love and St. Valentine, patron saint of bee keepers and young children. See a correlation here? My parents were showing their love by nurturing my self-esteem and proved that as for Valentine's Day, well I was bigger than that.
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