Self-Esteem Lesson

Every once in awhile I like to take some concentrated time to boost my kids self-esteem. Nothing set in particular, I just watch their cues and needs and this week I realized that Rhiannon was struggling a little bit and might need the pick me up. I have found the best way to reach my kids besides continual compliments, praise and sharing love is through reading (are you really surprised?) some particular books. I don't make a big deal about it, just try to work them in and then have natural conversations about them. I use a saturation technique where nearly every book I read will have something to do with loving yourself, being yourself, or being loved just because you are you.

Here is our book list that we read yesterday. Yes we did read them all yesterday. Remember many of these are picture/storybooks and my kids truly love to be read to. You could read these over the course of a week or so or just introduce one every once in awhile. They are all good stories and not overt in their message yet there is not much subtly there either if that makes any sense. The message is clear - you are special, I love you, God loves you, and you should love yourself even if you are different from others.

Self-Esteem/Confidence Book List

You are Special - Lucado, Max
I'm Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self-Esteem - Curtis, Jamie Lee
Quick as a Cricket - Wood, Audrey
Hooray for You - Richmond, Marianne
God Made you Special - Metaxes, Eric
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon - Lovell, Patty
Best of All - Lucado, Max

Special because of differences

Library, The - Stewart, Sarah
Tiny Seed The - Carle, Eric
Put Me in the Zoo - Dr Suess
Miss Rumphius - Cooney, Barbara
Stellaluna - Cannon, Janell
What If the Zebra's Lost Their Stripes - Reitano, John

You are Loved Books

Kissing Hand, The - Penn, Audrey
Pocketfull of Kisses, A - Penn, Audrey
Love - Moncure, Jane Belk
Love You Forever - Munsch, Robert
Runaway Bunny, The - Brown, Margaret Wise
Little Sibu - Grindley, Sally

We have also done full blown lesson plans on the book Miss Rumphius and "I'm Gonna Like Me". For I'm Gonna Like Me we did the following with our hs group, from a previous post:

Our homeschool group recently did a group class on Jamie Lee Curtis book "Letting Off a Little Self-esteem, I'm gonna like me". We had a fabulous time at the class. The kids drew their bodies on posters and writing what they could do with different parts of their bodies. Then each took turns looking into a mirror and saying why they were special, it was very touching and interesting to hear the kids responses. Rhiannon said "Because my daddy calls me a princess" and Ciaran said "because I love Jesus".

These are touching books that help kids understand that they are special and loved. Of course the greatest way to express this to our kids is to tell them daily how much we love them and reasons they are special and we are proud of them. To remind them that we will always love them no matter what and that God loves them. To help them be confident in themselves.

Go hug your kids today,
Tenn