Do you realize how special you are?

Self-esteem, self-love, and self-respect are all tools that children need to become successful adults. Looking at Preschoolers you will see that most are very proud of themselves and their accomplishments. As children enter grade school and beyond often this feeling is lost and replaced with self doubt and self loathing. When a child begins to doubt themselves it leaves a hole in their life that can be filled with unhealthy things: bullying, drugs, alcohol, sex, eating disorders, cutting, etc. The list of problems related to a low self-esteem is long and painful.

The following activity is designed to remind students just how special they really are:

Put a large mirror in the bottom of a big box with a lid on it. Have the students line up. Have them look into the box one at a time and promise that they will not share with the other students what they see.  Tell them that they will see "something special" when they look into the box.

Once all the students have looked in the box and returned to their seats, have them write on a piece of paper three things they LOVE about themselves. Allow the student to share what they wrote if they want.

Ask them how thinking about what they love about themselves made them feel? Thinking positive thoughts about oneself is a great tool to help get through difficult times. Tell the students to keep the paper in a safe place and look at it whenever they feel sad or someone has been mean to them.

( adapted from lesson created by Mary Ann Gleason)

The most important character trait of all... Respect

Each Character Trait that we try to instill in children is important, however there is one that I always come back to regardless of the lesson. RESPECT.

You might think, yeah I know... Respect for authority, Respect for your teachers, your parents, property etc. These are all great but the one that needs to be drilled into everyone is:

 

RESPECT FOR YOURSELF.

 

When you respect yourself, it is much easier to respect others. When you value yourself and your differences, you can then value the differences of others. By teaching kids to embrace who they are we help build a shield of self esteem that will help them navigate the world. 

 

Most of the lessons I have taught whether it is about citizenship or caring have always lead back to self respect. When you recycle you are showing good citizenship but you are also showing self respect because you are taking care of your earth and property.

 

 

"I will treat you like a gentleman, sir, not because you are one, but because I am." ----- Abraham Lincoln