• To recognize behaviors and signs that may indicate low self-esteem in children, such as negative self-talk, avoidance of new experiences, and social withdrawal, allowing for timely support and intervention.

• To  acquire practical strategies to enhance children's self-esteem, including encouraging a growth mindset, promoting positive self-talk, and fostering resilience, helping children build a positive self-image and sense of self-worth.

• To engage in a supportive network to share experiences, insights, and resources for raising confident and self-assured children, building a community that collaborates to nurture children's self-esteem and emotional well-being.

Growth Mindset

Encouraging a growth mindset helps children understand that their abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning. This mindset fosters resilience and confidence as children learn to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than threats to their self-worth.

 Supportive Relationships

Positive relationships with trusted adults and peers provide a secure foundation for children’s self-confidence. When children feel valued, supported, and encouraged by others, they develop a greater sense of self-worth and are more likely to take healthy risks, ask for help when needed, and express themselves confidently.

Activity: "Positive Affirmations Workshop"

Objective

To empower parents to create and utilize personalized positive affirmations that reinforce their children’s strengths, qualities, and self-worth, integrating these affirmations into everyday interactions to support a positive self-image.

Materials Needed

• Notepads or journals

• Pens or markers

• Example affirmations (on a handout or screen for reference)

• Optional: index cards or colorful paper for writing affirmations to display at home

Instructions

1. Reflect on Your Child’s Qualities:    Have parents reflect on their child’s unique traits, strengths, and positive attributes, jotting these down as a basis for affirmations.

2. Craft Positive Affirmations:  Using their reflections, guide parents in creating concise, specific affirmations highlighting their child’s strengths (e.g., “Your creativity amazes me every day”).

3. Share and Receive Feedback: Pair parents to share their affirmations and provide feedback to refine their statements.

4. Refine and Finalize: Allow parents to make final adjustments to ensure affirmations are positive and authentic.

5. Commit to Integration: Encourage regular use of affirmations through verbal reminders or notes, integrating them into daily interactions.

6. Wrap-Up: Thank participants and reinforce the impact of daily affirmations on children’s self-esteem and confidence.

Activity: "Building Resilience"

Objective

To equip parents with practical strategies to build resilience in their children, fostering skills to help them navigate challenges, manage emotions, and develop a positive mindset toward overcoming adversity.

Materials Needed

• Worksheets with prompts for identifying strengths, coping strategies, and resilience-building exercises

• Scenario cards or case studies for problem-solving practice

• Handouts on emotional regulation techniques (e.g., deep breathing, mindfulness exercises)

• Pens and notepads

Instructions

1. Identify Strengths (5 min)
   Distribute worksheets for parents to list their child’s strengths and coping skills to build on existing resilience.

2. Positive Self-Talk (5 min)
   Guide parents in practicing affirming statements, like “I can try again,” to model for their children.

3. Problem-Solving Skills (10 min)
   Present scenarios and have parents brainstorm solutions with their children to foster adaptability.

4. Emotional Regulation (10 min)
   Teach techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness, encouraging parents to practice these with their children.

5. Create a Resilience Plan (10 min)
   Help parents draft a resilience plan with strategies for daily life, involving the child in this process.

6. Conclusion (5 min)
   Invite parents to reflect on valuable strategies and encourage regular application to support their child’s confidence and resilience.

• What signs of low self-esteem have you noticed in your child or student? How did you recognize these, and what impact did they have?

• How do you encourage self-esteem at home or in the classroom? What challenges do you face in balancing praise with constructive feedback?

• What practical challenges have you encountered in building children’s self-esteem, and how have societal pressures or family dynamics influenced your approach?

• Which strategies have been most effective for boosting self-esteem, and what approaches have helped children develop a positive self-image?

• Where do you find support and resources for building children’s self-esteem, and have any community or professional services been especially helpful?

• How can we, as teachers and parents, support each other in raising confident children and share valuable insights and resources together?

Key takeaways from the "Identifying and Addressing Low Self-Esteem” module:

Recognize Signs: Identify early signs of low self-esteem like negative self-talk and avoidance of challenges for timely support. 

Build Confidence: Use strategies such as promoting a growth mindset, positive self-talk, and resilience to foster a strong self-image.

Supportive Environment: Create safe, affirming spaces at home and in the classroom to encourage self-expression and risk-taking.

Foster Resilience: Teach children coping skills, problem-solving, and emotional regulation to help them handle setbacks.

Community Support: Parents and teachers benefit from sharing experiences and strategies, building a consistent, supportive network for children’s self-esteem.