Self-Esteem

A student struggling with self-esteem may...

When supporting a student with low self-esteem, some general strategies involve

use cross-graded or cross skills buddies for the student to be the leader
give positive, specific experience based praise about successes
decrease emphasis on academic competition/placement
allow the student to pass publicly and share individually
model and teach the idea of valuing differences
avoid comparing students
monitor feedback to include positives and avoid overcorrecting
use student interest areas for assignment topics
use personal reflection (use caution in group members reflecting/rating each other)
emphasize fair is not equal/the same
model mistakes and your own reaction
promote self-advocacy and honor when it is used

Interventions may include

using a concerted effort to "catch" successes and share them with the student and others (peers, parents, staff, etc.)
find an opportunity, even outside of the normal schedule/curriculum, to develop areas of interest
practice problem solving throughout the day; failure in problem-solving is a learning opportunity
interactive journaling
highlight a variety of character traits in your classroom--especially those not related to "doing school"
use an I am/We are or Flipped Interview strategy/activity to help students realize everyone has commonalities, strengths, and challenges

Literature Links

Being Me by Wendy Moss

Understanding Myself by Mary Lamia

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

All My Stripes by Shaina Rudolph

Uniquely Wired by Julia Cook

Chicken Soup Positive Kids by Kevin Sorbo

Buzzy the Bumblebee by Denise Brennan-Nelson

Hudson Hates School by Ella Hudson

Teacher Readings