What is Self-Esteem?

Close your eyes… envision a picture of yourself…what do you see? How do you feel? These feelings are called "self-esteem." Self-esteem is the way we feel about ourselves.

Self-esteem begins to develop in infancy and is shaped by the feedback children receive from parents and other significant people in their lives.

Some people believe that self-esteem is the single most important element in children’s lives. It affects everything they do.

Children with high self-esteem:

• Are physically healthier.
• Are more motivated to learn.
• Get along better with others.

Children with positive self-esteem are more willing to:

• Tap into their creativity and risk expressing it.
• Approach life with energy, enthusiasm, and curiosity.
• Stretch themselves to reach their full potential.

Positive self-esteem facilitates:

• Self-confidence. Self-direction.
• Self-reliance.
• Responsibility.

HOW CAN A MENTOR HELP?

Regardless of the other specific goals of the mentor program, our primary challenge is to find ways to build a strong sense of self-worth -- positive self-esteem.

• Listen to and acknowledge your student’s thoughts and feelings.
• Let your student experience success no matter how small.
• Show your student he/she is loveable and capable.
• Model your own healthy self-esteem.
• Treat your student as an individual.
• Help your student understand that although you may dislike a specific behavior, you do not disapprove of him/her as an individual.
• Recognize and value cultural diversity.
• If your student fails in an endeavor, help him/her to understand that there are many ways in which he/she has been successful.
• Teach your student that he/she can turn failure into success by trying again.
• Encourage your student each time you are together. Identify and acknowledge your student’s strengths.

"Whether the problem is drug abuse, low school performance, gang involvement, or teen pregnancy, the solution begins with helping children to see themselves as capable, worthwhile, and potentially successful individuals."

William Raspberry

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