4 Parenting Tips to Building Self Esteem | L.O.V.E.

LISTEN: Oftentimes, the most effective tool to encourage healthy adolescent development is to listen. Active listening not only benefits the listener, but builds strength and confidence in the speaker. Listen to your daughter with you eyes, body language and attention. Let her “see” that you hear her. Give her your undivided attention by allowing yourself to “be present.” After you validate your daughter by allowing her to see that you are fully engaged, then find a way to repeat to her what she just said. By responding to her through feedback, she will know and understand that you have truly “heard” her.

OFFER SUPPORT: We have often heard John Maxwell’s quote, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Find out what is important to your daughter; and remember, what is important to her will not be as important to you. Caring about what she cares about is a great way to support her and develop a trusting relationship with her. Adolescent girls in the millennial generation are more disconnected relationally and more connected to social culture; therefore, it is important to support her even if you do not understand her.

VALIDATE: Many teen girls are looking for validation when they sign up for the Instagram Beauty Pageants or any other pageant. Unfortunately, the healthy validation and affirmation that should come from parents or loved ones has been replaced by social media and exaggerated cultural expectations. Self-esteem is usually fostered by the child’s opposite sex parent. Therefore, a teen girl’s father is the primary source of validation and affirmation. However, a child may always benefit validation by family members, friends, sports, activities, and developing specific skills.

ENGAGE IN THEIR WORLD: The ability to be vulnerable and present with your daughter without judgment or expectation may be a challenge. “Showing up” emotionally and psychologically will ultimately create a “safe place” for your child to share their lives with you. Remember, the social standards of acceptability have changed drastically over the past 30 or 40 years. To prevent your child from “shutting down” and shutting you out, it is important to learn about the new culture of social media and the cultural shifts in norms to identify with her emotions, behaviors, likes and dislikes.

If you or someone you know are struggling with poor self-esteem, contact a therapist for assistance.

20 Self-esteem Activities for Teens For Utmost Confidence

Fostering confidence in teens is crucial for their overall development, laying the foundation for their future success and well-being. Creating an environment where they feel competent, valued, and independent is essential to this process.

When adults engage teens in self-esteem activities and encourage them to tackle challenges that match their abilities, they help them develop a strong sense of competence. Recognizing and praising their efforts rather than just focusing on the outcomes reinforces their belief in their skills and potential.

According to the National Health Statistics Survey, 58.5% of teens feel somewhat undervalued and need social support. By actively working to improve self-esteem, we can change this narrative. Engaging in specific self-confidence activities, such as team sports or creative arts, allows teenagers to boost their self-esteem and gain a more profound sense of self-worth, where small changes in their daily routines can lead to significant benefits.

These strategies collectively empower teenagers to build lasting confidence, better preparing them for the challenges they will face in the future. In this article, we’ll explore 15 practical self-esteem activities for teens. But first, let’s look at what self-esteem means for teenagers.

What is self-esteem? 

Self-esteem is the cornerstone of a teenager’s emotional well-being. It influences how they perceive themselves and navigate the world around them, especially during the crucial teenage years. Self-esteem encompasses self-worth, acceptance, and confidence in one’s abilities.

During adolescence, when self-doubt and insecurity often peak, nurturing healthy self-esteem becomes paramount for overall mental health and personal growth.

Through tailored activities and guidance, teenagers can cultivate resilience, embrace their unique qualities, and develop a positive self-image that empowers them to face life’s challenges, including mental health issues, with confidence.

What are the three areas of self-esteem in teenagers?

Self-esteem in teenagers revolves around three key areas: self-worth, self-acceptance, and confidence in abilities.

Nurturing a positive self-image becomes crucial as teenagers navigate the complexities of adolescence. Through targeted activities catering to their interests and needs, teens can build resilience and confidently embrace their individuality.

Parents and educators play a pivotal role in creating a supportive environment that fosters teenage self-esteem, empowering them to develop a sense of competence and thrive amidst life’s challenges. These activities can also be adapted for young children in primary school, as building self-esteem at a young age is essential.

What are the causes of low self-esteem in teenagers?

• Low self-esteem in teenagers can stem from various factors, including societal pressures, academic stress, social media influence, family dynamics, and personal experiences.
• Comparing oneself to unrealistic standards, experiencing bullying or rejection, or feeling inadequate in different aspects of life can all contribute to diminished self-worth.
• Recognizing these underlying causes is essential in addressing and supporting teens in building healthy self-esteem.
• Parents and educators can help teenagers navigate challenges and strengthen their confidence and resilience by fostering a nurturing environment and offering tailored guidance.

What are the self-esteem activities for teens?

Building self-esteem in teenagers means helping them feel good about themselves and confidently supporting them in facing challenges. We can add fun activities to their lives that align with the principles of positive psychology.

Here are self-esteem activities for teens that include creative expression, setting goals, improving social skills, and community involvement.

1. Crafting personal vision boards

A critical self-esteem activity for teens is encouraging them to make vision boards. These boards should show their dreams, hopes, and personal values. They can use magazine cutouts, printed pictures, and their affirmations. This way, they create a clear reminder of their goals and the future they want.

A vision board can inspire them. It reminds teenagers of their core beliefs and the positive outlook they wish to build. As they strive for their goals, the board shows how far they have come and helps boost their motivation when times are tough.

2. Writing letters to future selves

Have teenage kids write honest letters to their future selves in their goals journals. They can discuss their hopes, dreams, and the person they want to become. This task helps them think about themselves and picture a positive self in the future.

This is one of the exciting self-esteem activities for teens. It allows them to set goals, share struggles, and give ideas. It also allows them to share kind words with their future selves, recognizing positive qualities and encouraging positive thoughts. This self-directed letter is a powerful tool for upliftment and motivation, particularly during low spirits or discouragement.

This activity helps build a growth mindset. It highlights the process of personal growth and shows that students can reach their goals. It also reminds them that facing challenges is a normal part of growing and that they must keep trying to reach their full potential.

3. Daily gratitude journaling

One of the best self-esteem activities for teens is starting a gratitude journal. In this journal, teens can regularly write down things they are thankful for. They can include simple joys, acts of kindness they have seen or received, and happy moments from their day.

Gratitude journaling helps promote positive thinking. It shifts their focus from negative thoughts to the good things in their lives. This practice can improve mental well-being and reduce stress and negative feelings, leading to greater happiness.

When teens regularly note the positive parts of their lives, they can grow optimistic and learn to appreciate the present more.

4. Role-playing challenging situations

Create scenarios that mimic real-life social situations in which teens face peer pressure, conflicts, or the need for assertive communication. By acting out these scenarios, teens can learn to manage these situations positively and confidently.

This activity helps teens build social skills and boost confidence in challenging interactions. They feel stronger when practicing their responses and assertive communication techniques in real-life challenges.

Role-playing lets them make mistakes in a safe space, which helps them learn and understand social situations better.

5. Setting SMART goals

Another self-esteem activity for teems is to encourage them to set SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals. This method helps them break larger goals into smaller and doable steps, providing a sense of purpose and direction.

SMART goals let teens take charge of their dreams and create a plan to reach them. When they set practical goals, they have a better chance of succeeding. This leads to feeling accomplished and boosts their self-confidence.

Teens can celebrate their achievements by checking in regularly and keeping track of their progress. This can motivate them to stay focused on their goals and dreams.

6. Participating in team sports

Encourage teens to join team sports or activity groups that help with teamwork, social interaction, and physical health. Such self-esteem activities allow teens to work with others and build communication skills.

Regular exercise is good for mental health. It can lower stress and boost mood, which helps improve teens’ positive self-image. Being part of a team creates friendships and shared goals, assisting teens in feeling like they belong and growing their self-esteem.

This mix of physical activity, socializing, and teamwork creates a helpful and uplifting space for teens to thrive.

7. Volunteering for community service

Engage teens in community service projects that match their interests and values. Volunteering gives them a sense of purpose. It is a great way to make a real difference in other people’s lives.

When they help their community, teens feel a sense of ownership. They understand that their actions can lead to positive changes. Volunteering also allows them to meet new people and hear different stories. This helps them see the world in new ways and builds empathy.

Giving back and seeing the good from their work can be rewarding and empowering for teens.

8. Learning a new skill together

Encourage young people to try new things and step outside what they usually do. Whether trying a new sport, playing a musical instrument, learning coding, or doing something creative, learning new skills helps build self-confidence and gives them a feeling of success.

Provide a positive space for learning. Mistakes should be seen as chances to grow, not as failures. Celebrate their hard work and progress. This sends the message that trying hard and being willing to learn matter more than being perfect right away.

Learning new things as a family can strengthen relationships and create a sense of support for one another.

9. Hosting positive affirmation sessions

Introduce teens to the power of positive affirmations. These self-esteem activities for teens include short and encouraging statements. They help them fight against negative thoughts and build self-confidence. Encourage them to make their affirmations or use ones they like.

They can slowly change negative thinking and build a better view of themselves by saying these positive statements often. Teens can add affirmations to their daily routines, write them in a journal, or put them on sticky notes as reminders.

When they regularly reinforce positive beliefs about themselves, they can start to believe those messages. This helps to boost their self-confidence and improves their sense of self-worth.

Also read: EFT therapy.

10. Creating a ‘Wins’ jar

Encourage teens to make a “Wins” jar. In this jar, they can write down their achievements, big or small, on paper. This jar serves as a visual reminder of what they have done well and helps them feel good about themselves.

Whether they do well on a test, finish a challenging project, or show kindness, they should celebrate every win. When they look back at their “Wins” jar, they can think about how much they have grown and what they are capable of.

This activity helps them feel proud and grateful for their work. It shows them how important it is to notice and celebrate their successes.

11. Engaging in mindfulness and meditation

Introduce mindfulness and meditation techniques. Such self-esteem activities help teens become more mindful. These practices can help them manage stress and find inner peace. Even a few minutes daily can profoundly impact their mental health and well-being.

Mindfulness teaches teens to focus on the present moment without judgment. They learn to recognize their thoughts and feelings without letting them take control. Meditation activities, like guided visualizations or breathing exercises, can calm the mind, reduce anxiety, and help with concentration.

12. Developing a fitness routine

Encourage teenagers to stay active and create a fitness routine that fits what they enjoy and what they can do. Exercise is great for their body and mind.

When people move their bodies, they release endorphins, hormones that can lift their mood. Regular exercise can lower stress, help them sleep better, and give them more energy. All of this leads to a better body image and higher self-esteem.

Help them on their fitness journey. You can join them in activities, give them rides to classes or practices, and celebrate their hard work and achievements.

13. Exploring creative arts

Encourage teenagers to explore their creativity through art, music, writing, or any creative expression they enjoy. Participating in such self-esteem activities allows teens to express their feelings, helps their imagination grow, and supports personal discovery.

Creative arts let teens show who they are, whether they like painting, playing music, writing poetry, or dancing. Through this kind of expression, they can better understand their emotions, become more self-aware, and feel proud as they improve their skills.

Offering opportunities to share their talents, such as at art shows, open mic nights, or school talent shows, can help increase their confidence and celebrate their creativity.

14. Establishing healthy habits

Work together to create good habits about sleep, food, and exercise. Help teenagers see why caring for their body and mind is essential. Guide them to make good choices in their lives.

Such self-esteem activities for teens include exercising regularly, eating balanced meals, and getting enough sleep. Explain how these habits can increase their energy, boost focus, and improve their emotions.

Adding healthy habits to their everyday lives can help bring structure. It also builds self-discipline, which is critical to growing self-esteem.

15. Organizing social responsibility projects

Empower teenagers to take charge and plan projects focusing on social issues they care about. This can include raising awareness about environmental problems, helping with reading skills, or supporting local charities.

When teens get involved in their communities, they learn essential skills like leadership and teamwork. They also see that they can make a difference in their surroundings. Working on social responsibility projects lets them work together, solve problems, and think creatively.

Get expert teenage counseling services for your kids

Knowing the reasons for the lack of self-esteem in teens and activities to boost it is not enough. You need specialist teen counseling services to ensure higher self-esteem. This is where Total Life Counseling can help your teenage kids with expert counselors.

Explore our self-esteem therapy in Orlando to build self-confidence and self-image. For further information, please get in touch with us here.

Conclusion

Self-esteem-building activities are vital for boosting teens’ confidence and self-worth. Simple things like making vision boards or getting involved in community service help teens grow and think positively. With support from friends and positive feedback, teens can have better social skills and improved school performance.

Dealing with issues like fear of failure and peer pressure is also essential to creating a suitable environment for self-esteem. By adding these activities to teens’ daily lives, parents and mentors can help teens handle life’s challenges with strength and hope.

Promoting self-acceptance and personal growth lays the groundwork for a confident and booming future.

Frequently asked questions 

What could parents do to improve teen self-esteem?

Parents can improve teen self-esteem by actively listening to their concerns, offering encouragement and support, setting realistic expectations, fostering a positive body image, and promoting a healthy sense of independence. Additionally, involving teens in decision-making processes, praising their efforts and achievements, and advocating for open communication are effective ways to boost self-esteem.

What are some things teens can do to take care of themself?

Teens can take care of themselves by practicing self-care activities such as exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, managing stress through relaxation techniques like mindfulness or journaling, and seeking help from a trusted adult or counselor when needed. Engaging in hobbies they enjoy and maintaining healthy relationships with friends and family also contribute to their overall well-being.

What are key ways to find out if teenagers have low self-esteem?

Key ways to identify if teenagers have low self-esteem include observing signs of excessive self-criticism, avoidance of social situations, lack of confidence in expressing opinions or trying new activities, seeking constant validation from others, difficulty accepting compliments, and engaging in self-destructive behaviors like substance abuse or self-harm. It is crucial to communicate openly with teens and seek professional help to address underlying issues affecting their self-esteem.

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AUTHOR: Jada Jackson, MS, LMHC – Communicator, Coach & Licensed Mental Health Counselor working with couples, teens, young adults and women empowerment issues in Orlando and East Orlando Florida!  Jada Jackson can be reached at (407) 248-0030.