Self-esteem facts for kids

Self-esteem is how you think and feel about yourself. It's about how much you believe in your own worth and abilities. When you have good self-esteem, you generally feel happy with who you are. You might think you're good at things and that you matter.

On the other hand, if you have low self-esteem, you might feel like you're not very good at things or that you're not important. It's like a scale that goes up and down depending on how you see yourself.

Some experts believe that how you feel about yourself can affect your mood and even your health. For example, having low self-esteem can sometimes be linked to feeling sad or having trouble with eating habits. It can also make it harder to deal with tough situations like bullying.

It's important to know that everyone's self-esteem can change. It's not something fixed. You can always work on building it up!

What is Self-Esteem?

Self-esteem is basically your overall opinion of yourself. It's how you value yourself as a person. It includes your beliefs about yourself, like "I am a good friend" or "I am smart." It also includes your feelings about yourself, such as pride, shame, or confidence.

High Self-Esteem

When you have high self-esteem, you usually:

• Feel good about yourself.
• Believe in your abilities.
• Are proud of your achievements.
• Can handle challenges and mistakes.
• Respect yourself and others.

Low Self-Esteem

If you have low self-esteem, you might:

• Feel unsure about yourself.
• Doubt your abilities.
• Focus on your weaknesses.
• Find it hard to accept compliments.
• Worry a lot about what others think.

Why is Self-Esteem Important?

Having healthy self-esteem is really important for your well-being. It helps you to:

• Be more confident in school and with friends.
• Try new things without too much fear of failure.
• Deal with problems and bounce back from setbacks.
• Build strong and healthy friendships.
• Make good choices for yourself.

Self-Esteem and Your Rights

Did you know that your self-esteem is so important that it's even talked about in international laws? These laws, like the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, say that everyone's self-esteem must be protected. This means no one should be treated badly or hurt because of who they are, their background, or any differences. Everyone deserves to be respected and feel good about themselves.

Preventing Bullying

Organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) also say that building strong self-esteem is key to stopping bullying. When people have a good sense of their own worth, they are less likely to bully others. Also, people with strong self-esteem are better able to stand up for themselves or others if bullying happens. Learning to be tolerant and accepting of everyone helps create a safer and kinder world for all.

How to Build Self-Esteem

Building self-esteem is a journey, not a race. Here are some ways you can help yours grow:

• Focus on your strengths: Think about what you're good at and what you like about yourself.
• Set realistic goals: Achieve small goals to feel a sense of accomplishment.
• Learn from mistakes: Everyone makes mistakes. See them as chances to learn and grow.
• Be kind to yourself: Talk to yourself like you would a good friend.
• Help others: Doing good deeds can make you feel more valuable.
• Spend time with supportive people: Surround yourself with friends and family who make you feel good.
• Try new things: Discover new talents and interests.
• Take care of your body: Eat healthy, get enough sleep, and exercise. This helps you feel better overall.

Remember, it's okay to have days when you don't feel your best. What matters is how you pick yourself up and keep trying to be the best version of yourself.

See also

In Spanish: Autoestima para niños