Strategies to Support Self-Esteem

Some helpful strategies to increase your clients self-esteem can include:

• Encourage your client’s parents and teachers a to focus on the process of your cleint’s work, rather than the product.
  • Praising effort—even when children do not meet their goals—can help build self-esteem.
  • Ask your client to describe specific behaviours and steps that led to their successes.

• Continue to help your client take pride in and learn from their mistakes. It is important for them to learn to approach challenging situations as an opportunity for growth, rather than a threat. 

• Encourage your clients parents to help their child develop a self-awareness of their strengths and challenges, and develop new strategies when faced with setbacks.
  •  Self-awareness worksheets (Understood.org): https://www.understood.org/en/friends-feelings/empowering-your-child/self-awareness/download-self-awareness-worksheet-for-kids
  • “Growth mindset” worksheets (Understood.org) https://www.understood.org/en/friends-feelings/empowering-your-child/building-on-strengths/download-growth-mindset-activities-for-kids

For more information on and targeted interventions for self-esteem, see this handout: Happiness and Self-Esteem Handout