Introduction
Self-esteem is the way we perceive and value ourselves. It can vary from positive to negative, depending on our experiences and how we react to them. For children, it’s crucial to develop a healthy self-esteem to grow into confident and resilient individuals. In this blog post, we’ll discuss an easy no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help educators support their elementary students in building positive self-esteem.
No-Prep Activity: The Compliment Circle
This activity aims to help students recognize their strengths and the positive qualities of their peers. It requires no preparation or materials, making it an ideal choice for busy educators.
- Have the students sit in a circle.
- Choose one student to start. This student will give a genuine compliment to the person sitting to their right, focusing on their strengths or something they appreciate about them.
- The student who received the compliment will then do the same for the person sitting to their right, and so on.
- Continue until every student has both given and received a compliment.
- After the activity, discuss how it felt to give and receive compliments and how it can help improve self-esteem.
Discussion Questions
Use these questions to spark conversations about self-esteem and its importance:
- Why is it important to have a positive self-esteem?
- What are some examples of positive self-talk you can use when you’re feeling down?
- How can you help a friend who is struggling with negative self-esteem?
- Can you think of a time when you felt proud of yourself? How did it affect your self-esteem?
- What are some activities or hobbies that make you feel good about yourself?
Related Skills
Developing positive self-esteem is just one aspect of Social-Emotional Learning. Here are some other relevant skills for students to work on:
- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others can help students support their peers and foster positive self-esteem in themselves and others.
- Resilience: Learning to bounce back from setbacks and view challenges as opportunities for growth can contribute to a healthier self-esteem.
- Self-awareness: Recognizing and understanding one’s emotions and strengths can help students develop a more balanced self-esteem.
- Effective communication: Being able to express oneself clearly and assertively can lead to increased self-confidence and positive self-esteem.
Next Steps
Ready to help your students build positive self-esteem and develop other essential Social-Emotional Learning skills? Sign up for free samples of our lessons and activities at Everyday Speech. Our resources are designed to support educators in creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.
