Building Self Esteem with Games
Self esteem games can help parents ease children into the cruelness of the world. Children are made fun of at school for one thing or another. Hurtful remarks take chinks out of the armor of self esteem that we sent with them out into the world.
We, as parents, must remember that we are the mirrors for our children. They learn much about their self-image by what is reflected in our eyes. Every child has something unique and wonderful about them — and who better to reflect their uniqueness than us, their parents. The trick is to pay attention to each child's talents between fixing dinner, a screaming baby, and the phone ringing, to let them know how wonderful they are.
"They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel."
— Carl Buehner
Here are two simple games to help your child (or children) recognize talents or skills and feel comfortable with the fact that we all have room for improvement. Help them to see that striving for perfection in everything is not expected.
I Can — I Can't
How to Play: Each child shares something they are good at and something they are not.
Example: I can draw well but I'm not good at math.
Rules: This self esteem game can help children have a more balanced view of themselves, at the same time helping to build their self confidence in their skills or talents. Some will only want to say something positive or something negative about themselves., but this is one rule that shouldn't be broken. Help them remember that everybody is better at some things than others.
Questions to stimulate thinking:
- Which statement was easier for you — I can or I can't?
- Do YOU think you are self-confident?
- Do you know someone who is very self-confident?
- How do you become more self-confident?
- How can you get better at something?
Guess What I Can Do
How to Play: A player mimes what he/she can do well. The other children guess what it is and the one who guessed correctly goes next.
Example: If a child thinks she is good at making funny faces, she keeps doing it until another child says, "Making faces!"
Questions to stimulate thinking: Do you find it easier to express yourself with words or in pantomime?
See if you can create other building self esteem games or exercises to give your child the tools needed to be strong and confident when others are cruel, because children most assuredly will experience a little or a lot when traveling through this life.
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