Activities That Promote Children's Positive Self Concepts
Many students struggle with self-esteem. Childhood teasing and playground name-calling can be detrimental to the development of students' self image, leading them to feel unworthy of love and as if they are not cared for by their peers. Teachers can help combat this negativity by engaging students in activities designed to make them see that they are valuable individuals.
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My Talents Poster
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While all students have talents, they often fail to realize that they are capable of things that set them apart from others. Encourage your students to think about the skills that they possess that others might not by engaging them in the creation of a "My Talents" poster. To prepare for this activity, gather sheets of poster board and art supplies.
When students arrive in class give them each a sheet of poster board and a selection of art supplies. Ask your students to place their name in the center of the poster, using their art skills to create decorative letters. Next instruct your pupils to fill the remainder of the poster with their talents. If students struggle to think of things that they are good at, discuss their hobbies with them and help them arrive at a list of skills that they posses.
Once all students have created their posters, allow them to present them to the class, saying, "My name is __ and my talents are ...." After each student has had the opportunity to share, hang the posters on a classroom wall so that all can see what skills the students in your class possess.
"I Like..." Cards
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Encourage students to express their esteem for their classmates and give your pupils a self-image boost, through the creation of "I Like..." cards. Prior to this activity, use sheets of card stock to create cards. Fold the cardstock sheets in half and write "I Like" followed by the name of one of your students. Decorate the front of the card with shapes or images specifically for the selected student. Repeat this process, creating a card for each student.
When students arrive in class, explain to them that you created these cards, but you need help from them to fill the inside. Randomly distribute the cards to the students, taking care to ensure that a student does not receive a card with his name on it. Ask you students to write a message about the pupil featured on the front of the card. Instruct students to start their messages with the phrase "I like..." and go on to explain what they like about the selected student. After the students have written their messages, ask them to trade their card with a peer and repeat the process. Trade the cards five to ten times before giving the cards to the intended recipients.
Me Commercials
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Students must put modesty aside and sing their own praises while creating a "Me" commercial. Tell your students to pretend that they are applying for a job and that the potential employer wants them to create a commercial in which they outline why they are a good person for the job. Ask each student to compose a commercial in which they state why they are special and what skills they possess. After students have written their self-celebrating commercials, allow them to present them to the class.
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