Boosting Local Girls' Self Esteem

For lots of girls, growing up means dealing with peer pressure, trying to fit in, and struggling with feelings about their physical appearance. Ingrid Fullerton, Director of Healthy Kidz at 1550 Springfield Avenue, has come up with a Self Esteem & Body Image Workshop to address those challenges.

"I felt that self esteem was an issue that needed to be addressed," Fullerton said. "I felt that if kids felt better about themselves, it would be easier for them to want to exercise. So we added that new part to the program."

Fullerton started Healthy Kidz two years ago when her daughter was 11 years old. "When she was three," Fullerton explained, "she had kidney surgery. Over the years, she began gaining weight."  Afraid that the weight would affect her other kidney, Fullerton and her husband initially started the program with the intention of helping their daughter and other girls become healthier through exercise. 

The exercise aspect of the program worked out well for a year, Fullerton said. But within that time, she recognized ways to make it more effective.

"Last year, it was just fitness," said Fullerton, who is a certified teacher in elementary mathematics. "The physical part worked, but some of the kids would start and then stop about a month later. I thought afterward that it might not be addressing some of the real reasons that kids eat."

There was one other important thing that propelled Fullerton to address self esteem. "As my daughter was growing, I noticed that she was changing and trying to fit in," Fullerton said. "I realized that the things that other kids say affect her, so I wanted to address it—with her and with other girls."

The new program is a combination of self-esteem, body image and fitness. The 10-week session, designed for ages 10-17, involves work with a professional social worker who specializes in working with girls to build self esteem. "The program will be interactive, where the kids will participate in role playing," said Fullerton. "Our social worker will be using her own curriculum and each week she will introduce a new idea or topic for the girls to discuss."

Topics she expects the program to cover include: kids appreciating their hidden talents, skills and abilities; having respect for self and others; embracing their uniqueness; recognizing their inner strength; and having a positive self and body image.

Sessions with the social worker will take place on one night of the week. On another night, the youngsters will participate in fitness activities, and, on the third night, they can come in and play with the Wii Just Dance computer program.

The Self Esteem & Body Image Workshop will launch in October. On September 18, Fullerton will have an Open House between 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to present the program. The Open House will also give people the opportunity to fill out applications and win prizes.

Fullerton is also in the process of developing an Etiquette Training program. This program will also run the duration of 10 weeks. The program is broken into age groups (6-9, 10-15, and 16-18). Kids in the 6-9 age range will learn about everything from social etiquette and problem solving to learning about other cultures and making friends. Youth age 10 and older will learn about first impressions, grooming, dining skills and table manners. To learn more, log on to www.4healthykidz.com or call 973-327-2896.