Throughout October 2012, we’ll be working on the concept of “self-esteem.”

All our discussions and activities will aim to help our students understand why they should regard themselves highly and feel good about who they are.

Powerful Words is the name of our character development curriculum here at Urban Martial Arts. It’s designed by one of the nation’s leading childhood development experts, Dr. Robyn Silverman. Every month, we’ll focus on a different Powerful Word, or concept around character development.

To inspire your own discussions at home, here are six of our favorite quotes about self-esteem:

“Act, speak and dream as if you are valuable. Because you are.”
—Dr. Robyn Silverman

“Productive achievement is a consequence and an expression of health and self-esteem, not its cause.”
—Nathaniel Branden

“Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self- esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.”
—Sam Walton

“Low self-esteem is like driving through life with your hand- break on.”
—Maxwell Maltz

“Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment.”
—Thomas Carlyle

“Self-esteem is as important to our well-being as legs are to a table. It is essential for physical and mental health and for happiness.”
—Louise Hart

To give you more ideas for conversation topics, here’s a run-down of what we’ll be discussing this month:

Week 1 Self esteem defined: What is it, what we say and think about ourselves
Week 2 Self esteem and our abilities: Talent, effort and outcome
Week 3 Self esteem and comparisons: Body, mind, skills and strengths
Week 4 Self esteem, friends & family: The people who we want to surround us

Image Credit: rAmmoRRison on Flickr

Throughout October 2012, we’ll be working on the concept of “self-esteem.”

All our discussions and activities will aim to help our students understand why they should regard themselves highly and feel good about who they are.

Powerful Words is the name of our character development curriculum here at Urban Martial Arts. It’s designed by one of the nation’s leading childhood development experts, Dr. Robyn Silverman. Every month, we’ll focus on a different Powerful Word, or concept around character development.

In this video, Dr. Robyn advises a parent who is beginning to see self-esteem weakening in his pre-teen and teen children.

To give you more ideas for conversation topics, here’s a run-down of what we’ll be discussing this month:

Week 1 Self esteem defined: What is it, what we say and think about ourselves
Week 2 Self esteem and our abilities: Talent, effort and outcome
Week 3 Self esteem and comparisons: Body, mind, skills and strengths
Week 4 Self esteem, friends & family: The people who we want to surround us

About Dr. Robyn:
Dr. Robyn Silverman, child development specialist, body image/body bullying expert, sought-after speaker and award-winning writer, is known for her no-nonsense yet positive approach to helping young people and their families thrive. Her ground-breaking research at Tufts University on young women is the foundation for her book, “Good Girls Don’t Get Fat: How Weight Obsession Is Messing Up Our Girls and How We Can Help Them Thrive Despite It.”

Throughout October 2012, we’ll be working on the concept of “self-esteem.”

All our discussions and activities will aim to help our students understand why they should regard themselves highly and feel good about who they are.

Powerful Words is the name of our character development curriculum here at Urban Martial Arts. It’s designed by one of the nation’s leading childhood development experts, Dr. Robyn Silverman. Every month, we’ll focus on a different Powerful Word, or concept around character development.

In this post, Dr. Robyn answers a question from a parent who wishes her child had more confidence.

Dear Dr. Robyn,

— Amanda A.; Chicago, Il

Dear Amanda,

We all want our children to feel good about themselves for who they are, what they do and who they are working to become.

Here are some ways to ensure that that can happen:

(1) Replace negative language:

When we consistently speak negatively about ourselves, our ugly words stick in our heads.

Our negative self-talk becomes our truth and sets the tone of how others see us as well.

Encourage your son to say at least 3 positive things about himself each day so that he creates a new habit of positive self talk.

(2) Provide interesting experiences:

By encouraging your child to participate in activities that he enjoys, your child will have more positive experiences that will enable him to feel good about himself.

He will also have the ability to make progress, help others and perhaps even master skills in his chosen area.

Whether it’s in sports, academics, school, volunteerism or other community activities, when and where does he feel best? Read the full article →