). Self-esteem significantly affects the child's development in regulating their emotions to support healthy and positive interpersonal relationships. Children with high self-esteem display higher confidence in self-expression, giving and receiving love, development of judgment, and gain critical cognitive skills (Kostelnik et al., 2010). Moreover, children with low self-esteem often showcase negative emotional response, aggression, antisocial behavior, and a pessimistic outlook (Kostelnik et al., 2010). As confidence is stemmed from the sense of security that children feel from their caregivers; healthy parental efficacy plays a role in helping their child develop positive self-esteem. The caregiver must provide an adequate amount of WAGER to provide a secure space for the child to learn, gain self-awareness, and develop self-regulating skills (Kostelnik et al., 2010). Therefore, the amount of WAGER and sensitive caregiving that a parent provides is correlated to the level of self-esteem that the child develops. For example, when parents provide a sensitive nurturance, children are more likely to feel secure in their worth, competence, and control (Kostelnik et al., 2010). As social participants, children will project their self-esteem when accepting or rejecting how others treat them (Kostelnik et al., 2010). As a result, the self-esteem and self-perception that children develop ultimately influences social interaction and interpersonal relationships (Kostelnik et al.,
Most people face self esteem problems at different levels. At some point in life people face this problem without realizing it. In the essay The Trouble with Self-Esteem written by Lauren Slater starts of by demonstrating a test. Self esteem test that determines whether you have a high self-esteem or low self-esteem. The question to be answered however is; what is the value and meaning of self-esteem? The trouble with self-esteem is that not everyone approaches it properly, taking a test or doing research based of a certain group of people is not the way to do so.
❖ A child’s self esteem and confidence can be affected by negative experiences at school or other aspects of their life
Additionally, the mothers of the insecure children were “less warm and supportive” and “less stimulating of cognitive development than
The positive effects of adult support for children can be witnessed as children gain confidence and show an increased level of self-esteem. These positive effects are reinforced when encouraged and given praise for their achievements from teachers, parents, carers, and other adults.
Parental practices that involve consistent interaction are additional strategies employed by some. A child may be pushed to achieve specific academic, social, or athletic goals across different contexts and situations (Hart, Nelson, Robinson, Olsen, & McNeilly-Choque, 1998). A child may receive monetary gratuity designed to teach him/her to manage money. Some children thrive in other event-specific interaction—reading, attendance to sports or arts events, or giving time to school rooms and/or activities. Herein, lies factors that produce the advent of self-esteem and results may vary. Studies also reveal that observation has a responsive affect and often leads to social competence, peer acceptance, and less antisocial behavior (Hart et al.,1998). An inviting parent that elevates care and affection or one that encourages higher educational are examples of styles that promotes rather than demotes development.
With parents and their sensitive, responsive, and predictable caring towards young children, it helps develop children’s skills they need to succeed in their lifetime. Likewise early parent-child relationships have powerful effects on children’s emotional well-being. Through these exchanges children learn skills they need to engage with other children as well as adapt in different types of environments. Children eventually learn how to manage their emotions, and behaviors in addition they establish healthy relationships with adults and peers. This would eventually lead children to learn how to adjust to new situations and to resolve conflicts.
Frank A. Clark once said, “the most important thing that parents can teach their children is how to get along without them.” Parental influence is a driving force in the social and mental development of children, providing “a strong and secure attachment… [that] is the core of developing resilience and a healthy personality. It strengthens a child’s ability to cope with stress, regulates emotions, provides social support, and forms nurturing relationships.” (Odhayani 1)
As stated by Campbell (1990), self-esteem can be described as one’s overall evaluation of self-worth. In order for human survival and healthy cognitive development, a person must encompass an identity, a purposeful understanding of their role as a human, based on their unique attributes and beliefs. This automatic sense of self arises from within at the time a person begins to obtain consciousness, typically around the period in which they have entered the world. Although pre-dispositional characteristics play a role in part of the determination of one’s identity, the environment provides a more impactful way of creating one’s sense of self. As a caregiver, it becomes imperative
In order for children to have a high sense of esteem, parents need to provide validation of their child's growing abilities and acomplishments. They must validate their child's sexuality, individuality and care and respect.
In most cases, children with low self-esteem feel that the important adults and peers in their lives do not accept them, do not care about them very much, and would not go out of their way to ensure their safety and well-being. Negative self-esteem is related to low self-confidence, insecurity, underachievement, anxiety, depression, acting-out behavior, sleep problems and being a loner (Yarnell, 1999).
Because self-esteem is influenced by so many different things (e.g. society, media, friends, etc…) it is very important that parents and caretakers take the proper steps in helping a child develop a strong sense of who they are (Nuttall, 1991). By the time a child reaches three years of age they have experienced a very wide range of emotions (Cluff, N.D.) Parents, teachers and caregivers will lay the foundation upon which a child emotionally develops (Cluff, N.D.). Positive emotional development is important for children because this will not only determine their ability to develop healthy relationships with their peers but also how to successfully deal with their own emotions (Cluff, N.D.). Many theorists agree that there is a connection between a child’s emotional levels and development; they also
Thirdly, the involvement of a parent in a child’s education increases the child’s self-esteem. A high self-esteem, in turn, improves the child’s general wellbeing and their success in education (Feuerstein, 2000). Amsel (2013), who holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in sociology, wrote that limited parental involvement makes children feel unappreciated because there is no one to remind them that they are admirable, valuable and exciting. Children who feel unappreciated have negative thoughts and feelings about themselves (Amsel, 2013). This hampers the development of the children’s self-confidence and compromises their self-esteem (Amsel, 2013). Parents who want to improve their child’s esteem should not restrict their involvement to activities at school. Rather, “parental involvement in the education of children encompasses education-related activities both at home and school” (Onwughalu, 2011, p. 5). However, Amsel (2013) also warned parents that overindulgence in their child’s life may give the child little room to
When children see their parents involved in a meaningful way, they may benefit from the confidence and self-esteem that comes with feeling secure in their parents’ commitment to their well-being (Col. State).
People’s self-esteem either high or low is shaped by their life experiences. I believe a person’s self-esteem begins to take shape at an early age, with their parents being a major influence. Kind, positive, knowledgeable and caring parents help children create a positive self-image. Parents who do not feel good about themselves or others, sometimes take it out on their childern by belittling them or discouraging them. This leads the child down a path of self-doubt and eventually given the right circumstances a lower self-esteem.
Self-acceptance is an extremely prevalent issue that numerous people struggle with. It is one of the hardest to surmount, for it is something I still struggle with to this day. Overall, my journey is a working progress as it will perpetuate to have its downfalls to test me. Like many of my generation, social media has played an excessively paramount role in our lives, both negatively and positively. Sources of harmless entertainment have also unintentionally encouraged self-judgment. Be that as it may, my perspective has been widely opened unexpectedly through a speaker’s presentation as she showed us how to recognize our self-worth. Confidence and self-esteem are hard to acquire for some, but it should not be a quantity you divest yourself of. Self-acceptance of all insecurities and doubts is paramount since every individual has a unique beauty that should be cherished in order to pursue a life full of love and jubilance.