“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”
Helen Keller

When we encourage positive self-esteem in our children, we are building the foundation for their well-being and success as an adult. Regardless of what age we are, how we feel about ourself affects how we act. When we feel we are at our best it is much easier to get along with others and feel good about them.

When a child looks in the mirror we want them to like the person they see. We want them to look inside themselves and realize they are worthy of love and that they have what it takes to accomplish great things.

In my classroom and at home I am mindful about what I can do to support the healthy self-esteem development of my own kids and students. I was so inspired by something my son’s teacher, Ms. Troiano, did for her fifth grade class at St. Rocco’s School.

She created this awesome self-affirmation station so her students would remember how amazing they are every day. I immediately wanted to make one for my class. I also noticed that when Ms. Troiano sent the email, another parent said she was going to make one for her girls at home!

I thought about getting a wall mirror like she did, but I wasn’t really sure what the right spot would be in my classroom. It’s had to change from being 100% flexible seating, with lots of different centers and spaces to being more about COVID safe than anything.

I looked around at some different mirrors on Amazon and thought this one would be perfect because it stands up, can be moved around, and is shatterproof. I was thinking that I could sometimes put it in the hallway, and also let other classes use it.

At the same time, I found out DonorsChoose was offering matched donations on projects focused on social emotional learning. I thought I would take a chance and write a project for the mirror and then if it got funded I would create my own self-affirmation station.

I am so grateful that it actually was funded in less than 24 hours thanks to the magic of twitter, and the kindness of Allstate Insurance, Craig Newmark, Judy Burns, and Tom De Fazio! So of course, I immediately got to work copying and cutting affirmations. I found a great file of affirmations here on this link that was very helpful. The sunshine, rainbow, and apple cutouts are from Target, which I found back in August when they had their teacher section.

Luckily the mirror arrived 2 days later and I had so much fun putting it all together. I can’t wait to bring it to school after February Vacation is over.

It’s double-sided ;)

While I was putting it together I was reminded of my favorite books that help encourage self-esteem.

Here are a few:

I Am Enough by Grace Byers a New York Times bestselling book featuring an African American girl who celebrates herself by noticing the way she resembles beautiful things in the world around her- even those who look different.

There is an awesome read-aloud of it by the author here on this link.

Beautiful Opps by Barney Saltzberg is a celebration of creative thinking, and really encourages readers to view mistakes not as failures but opportunities.

Here, on this link, is a great read-aloud by the author.

Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman is the story of a girl named Grace, who loves stories and especially loves acting them out. She decides that she will play the part of Peter Pan when her teacher tells the class that they are going to perform the play.

I love this read-aloud version here on this link.

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes is about Chrysanthemum, a cheerful and naive young mouse, who loves everything about her perfect name. And then she starts school. Each day a trio of mean mouse girls tease and taunt her mercilessly about her name and Chrysanthemum ‘wilts.’ Her shattered self-esteem is repaired by Mrs.Twinkle, an “indescribable wonder” of a music teacher.

This is a really great read-loud version.

Zero by Kathryn Otoshi is a follow-up to the book, One. Zero feels empty inside and has a hole right through the center. She feels left out because she wants to count like the other numbers but she feels like nothing. The message is all about finding value in yourself and others.

I like this read-aloud version here on this link.

Giraffe Problems by Jory John is about Edward, an insecure, self-conscious giraffe. Edward doesn’t like his neck. He thinks it’s too long, too bendy, too necky. He tries all sorts of things to camouflage it but constantly falls back on comparing herself to other animals-a habit that only makes him feel worse.

Michelle Obama reads it aloud here on this link!

What are your favorite books or strategies for helping children feel good about themselves? I’d love to hear from you!

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit the blog today. I hope found this post worthwhile.

Have an awesome week!

Yours truly,

Jennifer

The most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence.”
Blake Lively