Ann Richards the Van Buren Psychologist and Valerie Elwood, Van Buren Counselor are looking for your feed back. Please take a minute to answer a couple of question to help them provide you with information that is valuable to you.

THOUGHTS ABOUT SELF ESTEEM AND HOW TO BOOST YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEM OR SELF-WORTH.
Self-esteem  is how you feel about yourself.   Positive self-esteem is confidence in one’s own worth or abilities.  It is consistently felt on the inside no matter what may happen or occur in the environment.  For example,  someone might call you a hurtful name and you might feel upset, but  you do not take it as being true about yourself.   (You are able to shake it off and go on with their life.)
 A child that has positive self-esteem will usually work hard in school and be unafraid to take educational risks or do something new.  If they should fail at a learning activity, they will not be discouraged; instead, they will take it as a learning opportunity and continue working to understand it or find someone that can help them.    A child with positive self-esteem will also seek out positive relationships and interact with others in a healthy and appropriate manner.   
Negative self-esteem is possessing little self-regard for yourself which causes one to take anything that is hurtful said to them as being true about who they are and will allow it to define them.  They may be discouraged from reaching their potential if they allow a failure or a roadblock to stop them from picking themselves up and trying again.  It will also effect relationships if they allow the other person to put them or their abilities down or bully or abuse or them.  The child or person could also be that  person that puts down other people or be a bully or even abusive.
Here are ways to boost your child’s self-esteem in life and at school:

1. Self-esteem starts immediately when that child is born (or even before )—the mother and father bond with the child and let the child know that they are loved and cared about through saying positive statement,”We are so glad that you were born and you are coming to live with us and be part of our family.”Holding and cuddling your baby is also crucial for bonding and building self-esteem. (Studies have demonstrated that babies in orphanages that are not held or touched often will result in low or negative self-esteem and/or failing to thrive)It has to do with skin touching skin or tactile stimulation.(Native American women used to carry their babies strapped in a papoose to their backs while they were working which would increase their bonding.)
2. Virginia Satire, a Family Therapist, advocates that a child should receive a certain amount of hugs each day, such as 4 hugs a day for survival; 8 hugs a day for maintenance and 12 hugs a day for growth.That is a lot of hugs, and it may be difficult to get all those hugs in on one dayHowever, a good morning hug; a before school hug with an I Love you and have a wonderful day; an afterschool hug.School can produce anxiety in some children’s struggle to learn and they need that love, care and support from home.
3. Lots of “I Love you’s” is essentrial and so important that your child feels that they are loved.
4. Your face brightens with a big smile when you see your child walk in the room or they greet you after school.They must believe that are valuable and important to you and that you are happy to see them.
5. Model that you love yourself by saying positive statements about yourself and not call your self “stupid” or “dumb”.Many children think these thoughts about themselves.Positive statements, such as I love myself and I love who I am.I love how you are or I love everything about you.You can make a list about all the things that are great about him or her.You can also talk about their challenges and problem solve with them.They need to believe that you are on their side and only want to help them and not put them down.
6. Listen, Listen, Listen to what your child is thinking about without judgement or punishment or problem solving.(Put your cell phone down while you are listening.)--they may just want to vent or get things off their mind.Listen with interest and nod or hmm mm or use statements, “You feel sad because your friend was mean or hurt your feeling.”
7. Use encouragement statements, “Your have great potential,” “You have a good heart,”“I believe in you,”(I have a list of 87 words of encouragement statements upon your request).
8. Homework help—If your child is struggling and if you cannot help them—find someone that can and discuss this with their teacher—so that they will not feel alone and its another way to show them how much you care.
9. Rest, Relaxation and Sleep, Children need about 12 hours of sleep.Their bodies and brains need this as they are growing and developing.They will feel more alert and ready to learn, and this will help them feel better about themselves.If your child is falling asleep at school, likely due to lack of sleep at night.Their bodies and brains will be sleep deprived and the will get the rest of their sleep at school.
10. Spending quality time with your child will give a message that they are valued and important; for example, playing a game, reading a book, going for a walk, riding a bike, or playing in the park.Be cell phone free at this time—give them your child undivided attention.This positive attention will also eliminate negative attention getting behaviors.

If you feel that your child is struggling at school or with their self-esteem, talk to their teacher about extra educational support which would help your child feel better about themselves.
The principal, school counselor or the school psychologist are also available to help devise a plan to help you help your child feel better raise their self-esteem.
Ann Richards, School Psychologist
Valerie Elwood, School Counselor
About Ann—She has worked in the Community Mental Health field as a Mental Health therapist for 14 years and as a School Psychologist for 17 Years.  Her primary “helping work” has been with children and families and now in the schools.
About Valerie—She taught Elementary School for 10 years and was a Middle School Couselor for 4 years.  Being a student advocate and supporting families has long been a passion of hers.               
Studies about self-esteem and academic success that I have reviewed:
Results from most studies concerning the relationship between self-esteem and academic achievement suggests that high self-esteem is an important factor and strenghthen the prediction of academic achievement in students.  (Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Academic Achievement,2010, Journal of Applied Science)
Self Esteem is one of the key factors in affecting an individual academic performance.  (Relationship between Self Esteem and Academic Achievement, 2010)
Decades of research also support the notion that believing in your ability to do something enhances your ability to do it. “Confidence is ones belief in ones own ability.  Studies also suggest that students with high academic confidence are better at searching for new solutions and more persistent on difficult tasks, whereas people with low academic confidence give up more easily when dealing with difficult tasks and cannot concentrate on tasks as well. (Article on self esteem and self confidence by Saga Briggs 7/2014)

Thank you to our wonderful Van Buren Community for coming out to support our Student Leadership's canned food drive. Over 1000 items were donated! Kindergarten and 2nd Grade tied with 250+ items being donated and were both treated to an Ice Cream Party! Our little school beat a larger school in the district also doing canned food drive! Way to go Van Buren!!

PTU donated books to each student for the holiday break.