Self Esteem

By Barb Bellesini

Middles and seniors are concentrating on improving their self -esteem. These are some of their ideas:

SELF-ESTEEM is: having a Growth Mindset: GREEN thoughts and actions: believing in yourself; having confidence;  coping with different situations and making good decisions & judgements; leaves you happy and open to listen to advice; gives motivation and self confidence;

HOW?     Speaking in an Assertive Manner 

Expressing thoughts and feelings in a calm, clear and non-threatening manner, without hurting or disrespecting anyone; Using ‘I feel..’ statements; being a good friend; becoming fit and healthy; recognising good things you do; knowing your strengths; giving and accepting compliments; thinking green, positive thoughts and smiling!!

SELF-ESTEEM busters are: RED thoughts and actions:

Not making eye contact; rolling eyes; lack of interest; name calling; interrupting or not listening; negative comments; noises or grunts; bullying (many bullies have low self-esteem, so we need to help them)

Speaking in an Aggressive Manner-

You hurt and offend others; use gruff or rough language and/or actions; put people down, threaten, pressure others; snatch, act aggressively or get too close.

Speaking in a Passive Voice-

You are nervous, speak softly, don’t express yourself well and have wrong body language; turning away; not looking people in the eye or not standing tall can actually ATTRACT bullying and make you an easy target.

We are building Positive Self-Esteem through discussion in ‘circle,’ games, stories, setting goals, power points and role play. One game we played was  ‘Islands,’  from ‘Play is the Way,’ by Wilson McCaskill, where there needs to be many decisions made, close contact with others, laughter and much co-operation for them to achieve the goal.

How is YOUR Self-Esteem?

Are you using Green Growth Mindset or Red Fixed Mindset thoughts and actions???

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