10 Unit 1 Your Development and Relationships
People who have a low self-esteem do not feel good about themselves
and their abilities. These people worry about their shortcomings and failures.
They dwell on their past mistakes. They are often afraid to try anything new.
People who have a low self-esteem are often putting themselves down. When
they receive a compliment, they usually give reasons for not deserving the
remark. They feel and act as though they are worthless. Sadly, most of these
feelings have no basis or truth to them.
Families who provide love, appreciation, and encouragement can
help children develop a healthy self-esteem, 1-5. Suppose a young child is
trying to learn to tie his shoes by himself. A family member encourages him
to try again and again. When he fi nally learns to tie his shoes, his family
praises and compliments him. This makes him feel good about himself.
Experiences like these can cause a healthy self-esteem to develop.
Improving Your
Self-Esteem
Even people who have a healthy
self-esteem sometimes doubt
themselves. This is normal. During
these times, they can think about
their accomplishments. They realize
that doubts and the events that
caused them are just a temporary
stop. Tomorrow will be a new day
and a new beginning. People who
have a healthy self-esteem continue
to look for solutions to challenges.
They make the changes needed to
lessen doubts and get back on track.
In the years ahead, you will
continue to learn and grow, 1-6.
Your self-confi dence may improve
as well. Self-confi dence is the
assurance you have in yourself and
your abilities. Self-confi dence gives
you courage to deal with people
and events in positive ways. New
experiences can be frightening
to anyone. As you develop self-
confi dence, you can face these new
experiences with less fear.
If you do not feel good about
yourself, you can work to improve
your self-esteem. The following
ways can help you improve your
feelings about yourself.
1-5 A father who teaches using patience and praise
can help his son develop a healthy self-esteem.
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