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YOU ARE AMONG THE FIRST READERS OF "Of Primary Interest," a new column written by members of the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists in State Departments of Education (NAECS/SDE) and targeted to kindergarten and primary teachers. Working with and on behalf of primary teachers comprises a major part of the responsibilities of many NAECS/SDE members. Young Children is pleased to partner with NAECS/SDE to offer readers information to support their teaching practice.
- Derry Koralek, Journal Editor
ESPECIALLY IN THE EARLY YEARS of elementary school, children tend to judge themselves primarily on their perception of how the adults in their lives value what they do and how they behave. Teachers wield tremendous influence over this aspect of children's development. Every comment or exchange, positive or negative, finds its way into a child's self-assessment memory bank. Comments that support the child's sense of competence are like deposits; negative experiences, withdrawals. No one expects only deposits, but there must be a healthy balance or the child's self-perception "goes bankrupt."
Self-esteem: Too much of a good thing?
Although the research is mixed, it is widely believed that a strong link exists between children's self-esteem and their success in school (Baumeister et al. 2004). This belief has spurred an emphasis on the role of positive self-esteem in supporting children's success in the early years of school. However, understanding the difference between high self-esteem and healthy self-esteem is important for the adults in a child's life, especially the teachers.
Healthy self-esteem arises from a person's sense of competence and a sense of worthiness grounded in respect for basic human values (for example, honesty, integrity, care for others). Children develop healthy selfesteem when adults responsible for them show them respect and care and support their attempts to try new things. "A strong sense of worthiness prevents competence from becoming arrogance by keeping the individual focused on basic values, and competence prevents worthiness from becoming narcissism by requiring good feelings to be earned, not given" (Reasoner 2004). Children with healthy self-esteem find satisfaction in their own efforts without the constant need for adult approval.
Healthy self-esteem can be high, but high self-esteem is not necessarily healthy. When a child's self-esteem gets waylaid by arrogance and an inflated notion of what they...