Introduction

Self-esteem and self-worth are essential components of a student’s well-being. While self-esteem is about how we feel about ourselves, self-worth is about believing that we are worthy of love and respect. Both positive self-esteem and self-worth contribute to a healthy mindset and overall happiness. This blog post will explore a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help high school educators foster self-esteem and self-worth in their students.

No-Prep Activity: The Positive Self-Talk Challenge

This activity encourages students to practice positive self-talk, which can help improve self-esteem and self-worth. Here are the steps to conduct this activity:

1. Have students sit in a circle or in a comfortable position.
2. Explain that they will be practicing positive self-talk by repeating affirmations after you.
3. Begin by saying an affirmation, such as “I am loved,” and have students repeat it.
4. Continue with other affirmations, such as “I am unique,” “I am growing,” and “I am valuable.”
5. After going through several affirmations, encourage students to come up with their own positive self-talk statements and share them with the group.

This activity not only helps students practice positive self-talk but also promotes a supportive and uplifting environment.

Discussion Questions

These questions can help stimulate further discussions about self-esteem and self-worth:

1. What are some examples of negative self-talk you’ve experienced? How can you replace them with positive self-talk?
2. How can focusing on our strengths and accomplishments help improve our self-esteem and self-worth?
3. Why is it important to separate our self-worth from external factors, such as others’ opinions or material possessions?
4. How can we support each other in building positive self-esteem and self-worth?
5. What are some strategies you can use to maintain a positive self-esteem and self-worth in challenging situations?

Related Skills

Developing self-esteem and self-worth is closely related to other essential social-emotional skills, such as:

• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others can help students see the value in themselves and others.
• Resilience: Building resilience helps students cope with setbacks and challenges, which can be crucial for maintaining self-esteem and self-worth.
• Assertiveness: Learning to express thoughts and feelings confidently and respectfully can boost students’ self-esteem and self-worth.
• Goal-setting: Setting realistic and achievable goals can help students feel a sense of accomplishment and enhance their self-esteem.

Next Steps

Now that you have learned about promoting self-esteem and self-worth in high school students, it’s time to take the next step. Sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech to access more resources and activities for teaching essential social-emotional skills. By incorporating these practices into your teaching, you can help your students build a strong foundation for future success.