Let's Be Proud

Let's Be Proud starring Self-Esteem Elephant is a simple social story to engage children in listening to what it means to be proud of who you are. The message from this character is "I Like ME" and Joni teaches this at classroom visits, in the community and with the Girl Scouts. It's an important trait for children to internalize and grow with, for when you are confident in yourself you're more likely to do better at academics, at team sports, at other activities you engage in. And, when you truly understand that you are born with a gift, be it being extremely compassionate, musically inclined, artistically, literary or physically gifted-when you find yours share it with others and you will then be able to add value to others. It's a good feeling.

When I visited an elementary school years ago, the school social worker and I discussed that the characters might be to 'cute' for the 4th and 5th graders, none the less, we introduced them to Self-Esteem Elephant. Low and behold they embraced the whole concept. As a matter of fact the class went longer than expected because EACH and EVERY student had to share with their classmates what they were good at. It had little to do with academics as they shared their passions for what they did, liked to do and were good at. For example, skateboarding, painting, writing, making other laugh and the list went on and on. This was a good day!

Think about how you feel when you've accomplished a mission, or tackled cleaning out the closet? It can be something so small or something that you've worked on for a very long time. When you feel proud of who you are, what you can do, it's a good day. Your entire mindset changes to good vibes, you have a bounce in your step and you're probably smiling from ear to ear. Let's teach our children to have that same feeling. Here are some ideas to help get your started or to just reinforce in your own home:

1. Use positive reinforcements (like sticker charts)
2. Be encouraging with your children
3. Introduce them to new activities that they may have never thought of
4. Be a role model, share your talent with your children and they'll see your joy
5. There is a fine line between bragging and boasting, keep it in tact
6. Teach them the good feeling of being kind to others, they'll internalize this feeling
7. Teach them to turn that frown upside down and the how good it feels to be proud of your effort

Building self-esteem and confidence in a child helps them to believe in themselves.

Make a Self-Esteem Paper Bag Puppet, click here.

Read Let's Be Proud starring Self-Esteem Elephant, click here.

Listen to I AM Self-Esteem Elephan there.

Learn more about Self-Esteem Elephant here.

Learn about all the Characters of Character here.

Visit us online at Character Corner where we are making videos to engage children in these character lessons to do right at home. click here. Characters of Character has a mission which is, "to provide a firm foundation for children to establish strong civic values" you can become a supporter and donate to our cause here. Feel free to reach out to Joni Downey, the creator here.

You can make a difference in the life of a child by donating to our 2020 Project which donates to children's hospitals. In Tennessee we will be donating to the Vanderbuilt Children's Hospital. Characters of Character is also working on donating to the Hendersonville Library, please contact Joni to learn how you can become a sponsor or to donate.

Thanks, and be sure to BE PROUD OF YOU!

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