Self-esteem in Children
Self-esteem in Children
We found an article this month, on the Counselling Directory website, about self-esteem in children which we’d like to share. Self-esteem is an important personal perspective that we hold of ourselves and often directly effects how we interact and behave.
The way we see and feel about ourselves will of course encompass both positive and negative views but it is in balancing those thoughts and feelings, to be the best we can be, which is a crucial skill in life.
Self-esteem in children can require support and management, in order to provide them with the tools to flourish in life.
According to mental health charity YoungMinds, 75% of young people have experienced low self-esteem at least once. And they’re not alone. 80% of British women admit they put too much pressure on themselves to ‘be perfect’, despite accomplishing an average of 26 tasks a day. Counselling Directory
Low self-esteem often arises when we compare ourselves to others which can be enabled by social media. The Counselling Directory say that 75% of 12-15 year olds and 25% of eight to 11 year olds have a profile on social media.
It’s not easy to spot the signs of low self-esteem but here are some common behaviours to look out for:
- They constantly put themselves down.
- They doubt their success so don’t try as hard.
- They fear change or are afraid to try new things.
- They compare themselves to others.
- They think they are inadequate or unimportant.
- They lose their temper easily.
Our esteem begins to develop from birth, and building self-esteem in children is an ongoing process. Being a parent is an incredibly hard job and we don’t always get it right, but as long as you remember to praise and listen to your child, and enforce boundaries in a positive way, then your child should know that you are always there for them – your love and support is constant. Counselling Directory
If you are worried that your child is struggling with low self-esteem, our Counselling Service could help you.
We offer free initial consultations by phone or in person, to ensure that you are referred to the right counsellor for you or your child’s needs. We offer information and guidance where possible, with no obligation to book an appointment.
Just call us on 01359 408 011 or email us via our contact us page.
To read the full article which is full of information from charities YoungMinds and Place2Be, click here.
