5 activities to boost your high schooler’s self-esteem

How self-aware is your teen? Do they know where their strengths lie? A key element of self-esteem is a person’s ability to recognize their best qualities. You can help your child do this by suggesting they draw a skills tree.

Here’s what they’ll need to do:

• Draw a tree
• Write a personal quality at the end of each branch
• Find examples of how they put their qualities to use (e.g., My ability to empathize with others makes it easy for me to sense what people need.)
• Etc.

If necessary, you can help your child identify their best traits by asking them different questions:

• Why do you think your friends like you?
• How would you describe yourself in one word?
• What are your favourite activities?
• What skills have you developed by doing these activities?
• What are you most often praised for?
• Etc.

Whether it’s building a birdhouse or writing a story, every project your child completes is a small victory that builds self-esteem. They gain a sense of pride when they’re able to persevere despite obstacles and frustrations.

Here are some examples of things you can say that will motivate your teen and help build their perseverance:

• Keep reaching for the stars!
• Don’t worry, everybody makes mistakes!
• You can count on me, even when the going gets tough.
• I’m amazed by your creativity!
• Etc.

Taking the time to lend a hand or a sympathetic ear has a positive effect on self-esteem. That’s because helping others makes us feel a certain way:

• Useful
• Appreciated
• Competent
• Etc.

There are a countless ways your teen can dedicate their time to others. Consider making these suggestions:

• Call or write a letter to an elderly relative
• Read to a younger sibling
• Prepare a dish for a neighbour who lives alone and leave it at their door
• Offer to do errands for someone who’s ill
• Offer to the mow the lawn (free of charge) for a neighbour while they’re on vacation
• Etc.

Mantras are short, motivational phrases that are usually displayed someplace where everyone can see them. When we read these encouraging messages over and over, they eventually become ingrained. Try inviting your teen to come up with some of their own. Here are a few examples:

• I always do my best
• I never give up
• I will succeed
• I’m not afraid of a challenge
• I am good at ________
• Etc.

Setting realistic goals and working to achieve them is another great way to boost self-esteem. Encourage your teen to set a new goal every week. Here are some examples:

• Become more organized
• Find a new method for coping with stress
• Become more autonomous in a specific area
• Improve their writing skills
• Etc.