Introduction

Self-esteem is the way we perceive and value ourselves. It can fluctuate between positive and negative feelings, depending on various factors. As educators, it’s crucial to encourage students to develop a positive self-esteem, which will help them cope with challenges and build resilience. In this blog post, we will explore a no-prep activity, discussion questions, and related skills to help students improve their self-esteem.

No-Prep Activity: The Compliment Circle

The Compliment Circle is a simple yet powerful activity that requires no preparation or materials. It encourages students to focus on their strengths and appreciate each other’s unique qualities. Here’s how to conduct the activity:

1. Ask students to sit in a circle.
2. Explain that each student will take turns giving a genuine compliment to the person sitting on their right.
3. Provide examples of compliments, such as “I admire your creativity” or “You’re a great listener.”
4. Encourage students to think about the person’s character, actions, or talents rather than just their appearance.
5. Continue the activity until everyone has received a compliment.

This activity promotes positive self-esteem by helping students recognize their strengths and the positive traits of their peers.

Discussion Questions

Stimulate further discussions on self-esteem with these thought-provoking questions:

1. How does positive self-esteem influence our daily lives and interactions with others?
2. Can you think of a time when you felt low self-esteem? How did you overcome it?
3. What are some strategies you can use to maintain a positive self-esteem?
4. How can we support our friends and classmates when they are struggling with self-esteem issues?
5. Why is it important to focus on our strengths rather than dwelling on our weaknesses?

Related Skills

Developing self-esteem goes hand-in-hand with other essential social-emotional learning skills. Here are some related skills that students can benefit from:

• Self-awareness: Understanding one’s emotions, strengths, and areas for growth is crucial for maintaining a healthy self-esteem.
• Resilience: Building resilience helps students bounce back from setbacks and maintain their self-esteem in challenging situations.
• Empathy: Developing empathy enables students to support their peers and understand the importance of positive self-esteem for everyone.
• Growth mindset: Adopting a growth mindset encourages students to see challenges as opportunities for improvement, which can boost self-esteem.

Next Steps

Are you interested in exploring more activities and resources to help students develop a positive self-esteem and other social-emotional learning skills? Sign up for free samples of the discussed skill and others at Everyday Speech. These materials can help you create a supportive learning environment where students feel confident, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.