AD-HD - An Introduction to Developing and Maintaining Self-Worth
Boosting the self-esteem or self-image of an AD-HD child is not an easy job.
When children feel good about themselves, everything goes smoother for them and for you, the parents.
To feel good about themselves, children need two things: 1.
Feeling and seeing that they are successful, and 2.
Unconditional love from you.
If either of these are missing, your child will have a more difficult time developing a sense of self-worth.
Effort will be needed to improve your AD-HD child's acceptance among his/her peers.
Careful observation as they interact with peers during activities will be required to identify behavioural trouble spots.
Asking their teacher how they behave in the classroom and in the playground will also be necessary.
Once you get an idea of what your child's specific problems are, it may be easier for you, in conjunction with a medical and behavioural professional, to develop strategies to counter the problematic areas.
This will start the process on enhancing your child's level of self-worth.
What Is a Feeling of Self-Worth? Self-worth is: o how you feel about yourself o what you think about yourself o how much others like, accept, and respect you as a person Behaviours and actions are indicators of these feelings.
As a parent, you hold a great responsibility in the development of your child's feelings of self-worth.
Self Sufficiency Becoming self-sufficient is a key factor in boosting self-worth.
Your child's realisation of their ability to do and handle things is a great morale booster.
This boosts their energy and enthusiasm for socially acceptable behaviour.
Rewards It goes without saying that rewards enhance your child's willingness to work and achieve more in the areas of socially acceptable behavioural activities.
Visual proof of improvement assists your child to feel convinced that their progress and accomplishments are really worthwhile and are being acknowledged.
Here are some incentives to reward improved behaviour: o Homemade certificates o Small gifts o Gold stars o Stickers o Accolades on charts o Extended TV viewing o Playing computer games o More varied outings o Having friends stay over or for longer periods Although building self-worth is a lifelong process, the foundation is set up in childhood.
That foundation can help your child deal with difficult life issues later on as they present themselves.
As parents, you have an enormous influence on your child's belief in themselves.
When children feel good about themselves, everything goes smoother for them and for you, the parents.
To feel good about themselves, children need two things: 1.
Feeling and seeing that they are successful, and 2.
Unconditional love from you.
If either of these are missing, your child will have a more difficult time developing a sense of self-worth.
Effort will be needed to improve your AD-HD child's acceptance among his/her peers.
Careful observation as they interact with peers during activities will be required to identify behavioural trouble spots.
Asking their teacher how they behave in the classroom and in the playground will also be necessary.
Once you get an idea of what your child's specific problems are, it may be easier for you, in conjunction with a medical and behavioural professional, to develop strategies to counter the problematic areas.
This will start the process on enhancing your child's level of self-worth.
What Is a Feeling of Self-Worth? Self-worth is: o how you feel about yourself o what you think about yourself o how much others like, accept, and respect you as a person Behaviours and actions are indicators of these feelings.
As a parent, you hold a great responsibility in the development of your child's feelings of self-worth.
Self Sufficiency Becoming self-sufficient is a key factor in boosting self-worth.
Your child's realisation of their ability to do and handle things is a great morale booster.
This boosts their energy and enthusiasm for socially acceptable behaviour.
Rewards It goes without saying that rewards enhance your child's willingness to work and achieve more in the areas of socially acceptable behavioural activities.
Visual proof of improvement assists your child to feel convinced that their progress and accomplishments are really worthwhile and are being acknowledged.
Here are some incentives to reward improved behaviour: o Homemade certificates o Small gifts o Gold stars o Stickers o Accolades on charts o Extended TV viewing o Playing computer games o More varied outings o Having friends stay over or for longer periods Although building self-worth is a lifelong process, the foundation is set up in childhood.
That foundation can help your child deal with difficult life issues later on as they present themselves.
As parents, you have an enormous influence on your child's belief in themselves.
