BUILDING A CHILDS

SELF-CONCEPT
Building yours, too.

STAND UP FROM THE INSIDE!

Resiliency = the capacity to bounce back after

disappointment or tragedy.
Self-Concept = The total picture of who we are.
Our

looks and traits, how we feel, what we think, who

we see when we look in the mirror
A childs self-concept is in place by age 5.

Write your name on the card

Children are born with 100%

Self-Concept

Why is this important for them to have?

Do you still have the 100% you were born with?
Why

not?

Imagine what you could do if you did!

Celebrate the AWESOME name on that 3x5 card

Tie Dye Name Child Activity

High Self Concept vs. Low Self-Concept

(eyes, posture, words, actions, friends, successes)

 WHAT

INFLUENCES THIS?

1. SELF - PERCEPTION

2. Verbal and Non-verbal Communication

Communication We hear, say, or See.

We believe it and may even become it.
10 positive words for every negative word or action might alter
the affects of the negative.

3. Positive and Negative

Interactions
Why do we continue to hang
around with or do that which
brings us or others down?

Self Concept Circle

The person I think I am.
The person others think I am.
The person others think I think I am.

As I See Myself

Others
Reactions
To Me

My Actions

As Others See Me

Provide more successes than

failures for the child.

Plan successes
Point out successes
Help the child perceive
him/herself as successful
Provide practice to improve
skills
If they have more failures
than successes, back up to
where success is achieved,
and then move ahead
gradually

Give the freedom to fail with

acceptance.

As long as there are more

successes than failures,
children learn to not let a few
failures get them down.
A child who is over-protected
and not allowed to fail will
learn to try only if success is
guaranteed.

Give lots of encouragement.

Recognize the effort and

improvement, not just the final
accomplishment.
Support as they do new things.

I know you can do it

You handled that really well
You will make it next time

Show appreciation.

Thanks, you were a big help

Give unconditional love.

Let child know that even if you

do not approve of their
behavior, you still love them.
Accept children as they are,
not as they could be.
Respect your child.
Show them how much you care
about them.

Allow independence.

Let them do things for

themselves.
Let them work through a
problem.
Give them choices as
early as possible.

Eliminate the negative.

Tell children what they

can do, not what they
cannot do.
Catch them doing
something good more
often than what they
are doing wrong.

Do not set standards unreasonably

high.

They dont have to be

100% all the time.
Know their abilities and
work within those abilities.
Children are not miniature
adults.
Do not over-estimate their
maturity.

Development if child

Avoid ridicule.

Be careful of
nicknames.
Do not make fun of
them, especially in
front of others.

Allow exploration and encourage

questions.

Let them explore their

environment.
Give them a chance to
see cause and effect,
such as what happens
when a rock is
dropped in water. . .
Play, get messy, touch

Set limits.

Set limits (boundaries

and rules)
It

helps them to feel

security, protected,
valued, and loved.

Help your child develop their

talents.

Every child needs to feel

that they are good at
something.

Give them
encouragement and
opportunities to try new
things.

Encourage their talents,

not the ones you wish
they had.

Take their ideas, emotions and

feelings seriously.

Do not belittle them

That

is nothing to cry
over, or Youll get
over it.

Ask them for their

advice and opinions.
Listen

to them and act

on their thoughts.

Be a good role model.

Improve your own selfimage. Let your

children see that you
value yourself.
Let your children see
you make mistakes,
learn from them, and
try again.

Give your children responsibility.

Give them chores that

are appropriate for
their age.
Give them family jobs
so that they feel
valued and important
to the family.

Be available.

Give them support

when they need it.
Spend time together.

Work, talk, and share

activities together.

Let children know when their

behavior is appropriate

Point out when they

are meeting your
expectations and
requests.

I got two As, the small boy said, his voice was filled with
glee.
His father bluntly asked, Why didnt you get three?
Mom, Ive got the dishes done, the girl called from the door.
Her mother very calmly said, Did you sweep the floor?

I mowed the grass, the tall boy said, and put the mower
away.
His father asked him with a shrug, "Did you clean off the clay?
The children in the house next door seemed happy and content.
The same things happened over there, but this is how it went.

Ive got two As, the small boy said. His voice was filled with
glee.
His father proudly said, "That's great, Im glad that you belong
to me.
Mom, Ive got the dishes done, the girl called from the door.
Her mother smiled and softly said, Each day I love you more.

Ive mowed the grass, the tall boy said, and put the mower
away.
His father answered with much joy, Youve made my happy
day.
Children deserve a little praise for tasks theyre asked to do. If
theyre to lead a happy life, so much depends on you.
Study guide scenarios

A Haiku Poem about you

on back of 3x5 Card

__________________________________________
Your Name

_________________________________________________
2 adjectives describing you

___________________________________________________
3 Verbs that relate to you

___________________________________________________
A 4 word phrase about you

_________________________________________________
1 word that explains who you are