Those Three Little Words?
“I Like ME” are three powerful words. In a different world we are in today, it seems that our children and adults for that matter may struggle with who they are. I love sharing the story when my daughter and I traveled to Hendersonville, Tennessee to share our character Self-Esteem Elephant with the community. We were raising funds to donate our Mindful Confidence Building activity box to the library. So, we traveled from Illinois to Tennessee for the weekend, to showcase who we are and what we do.
While we shared coloring pages and information about our organization, Characters of Character, we also put Self-Esteem Stickers on water bottles for those walking around to wet their whistle if you will. When we returned home, we had received an email from a parent who shared that her daughter would not throw away the water bottle, she loved it! This water bottle opened up a conversation between her daughter and herself on what self-esteem and confidence were. Talk about a teachable moment! This mom was also a Girl Scout Leader and had other children. We talked for a bit and soon we mailed her more stickers and more resources to help her discuss, reinforce and teach confidence and self-esteem to more children. A simple gesture that impacted a lot of children! That’s what we do here at Characters of Character, we impact, we make a difference and we provide resources to help you teach your children or students these vital core values.
Did you know that years ago I had the opportunity to Pilot the characters in the elementary school where I worked on the Reading Team? This is where the characters earned a National Promising Practice Award through Character Partnerships in Washington and I decided to form Characters of Character with the intention to impact, engage and empower a lot more children. While it’s never been an easy task, it’s an important one, to make a difference in the life of a child. It’s my life purpose and passion to share these messages, lessons, resources and activities to bring awareness to our children and youth about the importance of having good character. The Principal in the building shared with me that when children have confidence their academics improve, their team performance improves and they become role models for their peers. I couldn’t agree more!
Let me share some simple tips for you to use at home or in your classroom on building confidence and self-esteem:
Be a role model. Children do listen to your conversations and watch your actions, be aware.
Talk to your child about what it means to have self-esteem and to be confident in the choices they make and the person they are.
Engage your child in activities that will build their confidence and self-esteem.
Encourage your child in the above and allow them to feel the pride that comes with accomplishing a task. Keep them simple, let them grow.
Explore what they like to do, read, sports, art, music, drama, etc. They’ll feel confident and want to continue to learn more.
Why is building confidence at an early age important?
This trait helps a child feel accepted and wanted
This trait allows a child to be proud of what the can accomplish
This trait helps a child think positive about themselves
This trait helps a child develop coping skills
I had the opportunity to visit a couple of groups of Girl Scouts who were in third and fourth grades. Whenever I visit a classroom or a group I like to have a group discussion on what we’re going to be learning, what trait are we focused on and what art activity we are going to do. So, I then bring out the teacher in me! I have a large display paper that says, “What I like about me” and using two different color markers the first line I write the following:
I am ________________________________insert child’s name here and then write the same in a different color marker, repeat, repeat, repeat.
I am————————————————--
Allow each child to share what they like about who they are, try to limit it to one word. Keep this as a visual during the class. Teachers can use the Guided Reading Method to build off of this.
After each child has shared we jump right into painting the character on canvas or other character building activity. I always have a physical activity for the children to take home as a visual reminder.
TELL me and I forget, TEACH me and I remember, INVOLVE me and I learn. Benjamin Franklin
Please, be sure to visit our website and learn how YOU can support our projects and promote good character within yourself, your home, your classroom and your community. Our newsletter always offers FREE resources and great content to promote character, too! We appreciate you!