The focus of self-esteem activities for the preschool age group is on growing a positive self-awareness for the child. This can include talking about the child's likes, talents and family. Encouraging children to try new things and praising their effort, rather than the outcome, will develop the willingness to experiment with new activities. Teachers and parents must strike a balance, however, between positive self-awareness and selfishness, which is quite common in preschool children.
Activities where a child answers questions about his or her life are excellent for building self-esteem. Show and tell, for example, allows each child in the pre-K classroom to share something special from home, and teachers can ask questions about the item to give the child a chance to talk about it in front of the class. Activities in which a child is asked to draw something about his or her life or a self-portrait give the non-verbal child the chance to learn positive self esteem.
Rewards are another way that parents and teachers alike can foster self-esteem in preschool children. Activities that allow the child to earn a reward for positive behavior not only reward the behavior but also show children that they have the ability to work for something they want. When the reward is finally earned, children can take pride in their efforts. A sticker chart that allows a child to earn one sticker every time a desired action is performed, working toward a large reward after a set number of stickers, works well.
Self-esteem starts with the individual, so many pre-K activities for self-esteem focus on allowing each child to explore his or her positive qualities. In the classroom, consider having a "child of the week" bulletin board. Each child can bring pictures to decorate the bulletin board on his or her week, showcasing things he or she likes or can do well. At home, help your child create an "about me" poster or scrapbook, again showcasing the child's likes and abilities.
In the group setting, foster positive self-esteem by helping the children be complimentary toward each other. In the pe-K classroom, model positive statements, and have the children practice giving each other compliments or affirmative statements. For example, when you have a "child of the week," assemble a book, writing down a statement from each child in the class about that week's child. Help each child come up with a positive statement about the classmate, and read them to the child at the end of his or her week.