Kids and the importance of self esteem

Dear The Reader

Today a friend and I took a couple of kids to the park while their mum moved house. A four year old boy and a seven year old girl. I got to talk to both, but my chat with the girl was most intriguing.

Turns out she's not a fan of school, but she's really smart. She knows most of her times tables and can spell some three and four syllable words. She's also very quiet and initially answers each question with "I don't know".

At first that worried me, but as I prompted her all her knowledge spilled out. At one point I said "You're beautiful" to which she looked away and didn't respond. So I asked if anyone had ever called her beautiful before and she said no.

Now, I don't know if she was telling the truth or just being modest, but I have drawn a lesson from this: all kids need praise for the things they try.

These kids come from a family with an absent father and some tough circumstances, but these two guys are glowing with positive light in the dark of uncertainty.

Educate. Entertain. Inspire.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone