Learning Confidence and Self-Esteem with Miss Joni

Confidence and self-esteem go hand in hand, and, when a child has confidence they are more likely to try new things, ask more questions and are open to learning. This boosts their self-esteem and the path ahead looks promising.

Hi, I'm Self-esteem Elephant, just one of the nine Characters of Character. I use three little words that inspire children and youth to open the door of conversations and awareness of their own being. What are they?

'I LIKE ME' and how simple and empowering these words are. When I taught classes, I'd ask the students, "what is it that you like about who you are?" As you might imagine I got responses all over the place, for example, "I can play video games" or "I got a new..." and I'd assure them how wonderful that is, but, "What do you like about who you are"

Then the flood gates opened! "Well, I can play soccer really well!" "And, I am really good at helping my mom with my little sister!" And, "I am good at skate boarding!" These are the responses I wanted to hear because then the child looked at what they are good at, how that makes them feel building that confidence and self-esteem we hope a child finds in who they are.

At a classroom visit with fourth graders where the social worker thought they might devour me with the 'cuteness' of the character, the conversations actually brought so much awareness to the classroom, their peers and the students. Most of them talked about what they liked to do after school and what they were good at and that is what they liked about who they are. It wasn't about academics, it was about their strength. New friendships were formed as you might imagine learning about one another and opening a conversation, with three simple words, "I Like ME" and I always ask the children to give me a thumbs up and bring it in pointing to yourself and repeating those three little words who play a BIG part of their character.

I also visited a Girl Scout Troop and we had the same conversation with wonderful conversations. It made me wonder why I had never stopped to ask my three children this question? It's never to late though, ask away, your own children, grandchildren, students and self. It will bring out the best in them!

Have you ever asked your child what they like about who they are? You might get a response of what material possessions they have that they like, not what it is about who they are, so be prepared to ask questions. As parents we need many times to prompt our children and this is just one way to help them look at who they are, grow in confidence and see themself a little differently.

But, I think my favorite story is when we visited Hendersonville years ago with our character at the Market. We put I LIKE ME stickers on small water bottles and a coloring page of Self-Esteem Elephant which we passed out if you visited our booth. When we got home I had an email from a parent who had thanked me for starting the best conversation ever with her daughter! Driving home her daughter wanted to know what that meant, "I like Me" and they chatted away. She shared that her daughter would not throw her water bottle away and just kept refilling it! That's impact. :) A simple sticker to start the conversation.

Now, when was the last time you asked yourself, "What is it that I like about who I am?" Or, "How can I improve myself, to be a better listener, better friend, and better person?" You're not changing the world, but you're changing one child at a time, and that is what makes a difference.

Miss Joni and Self-Esteem Elephant

Learn more about Characters of Character NFP here.

Learn more about Self-Esteem Elephant here.

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