Ages 3-5:
After Mia finishes her finger painting, her mom encourages her by saying, “Great job, Mia! You used so many beautiful colors. I can tell you put a lot of thought into it.” Praising efforts helps build Mia’s self-esteem.
Ages 6-8:
John seems upset after being unable to tie his shoes. His dad guides him by saying, “Don’t worry, John. It can take a little time to learn new things, but I believe you can do it. You’re a quick learner!” This boosts John’s self-esteem and encourages him to keep trying.
Ages 9-11:
Lucy doesn’t feel like she is good at sports during PE at school. Her teacher reassures her by saying, “Everyone has their unique strengths, Lucy. Maybe you haven’t found your favorite sport yet. Don’t compare yourself to others; focus on what makes you happy.”
Ages 12-14:
When Alex gets discouraged over his failed science experiment, his science teacher encourages him, saying, “Remember, Thomas Edison failed many times before inventing the light bulb. What’s important is that we learn from our mistakes and keep trying.”
Ages 15-18:
Emily sounds worried about not having a clear plan for her future. Her career counselor reassures her by saying, “It’s okay not to have everything planned right now. Everyone has their own path and timeline. You must trust yourself. You’ve got so many strengths and accomplishments already.”
These situations all help to boost children’s self-esteem, reinforcing that everyone learns at their own pace, failure is an opportunity to learn, and each person has their own unique strength.
