Approximately 20 to 45 percent of school-aged children do not reach their full potential because they suffer from low self-esteem. Self-esteem refers to how you feel about yourself. It includes self-confidence, self-respect, pride in oneself, independence and self-reliance. Success builds self-esteem. Because “underachieving” students do not experience as much success in the classroom, low self-esteem is often the result. Many parents assume that their underachiever has a low IQ. In fact, most underachievers have high or average IQs, but their low self-esteem prevents them from succeeding in the classroom.

A school-aged child’s self-esteem is cultivated primarily at home. It is important that parents have a complete understanding of what self-esteem is and how to help build positive self-confidence in their child. It is the way a child feels about himself or herself regardless of how others view him or her. “A secure home environment that establishes confidence, respect and an open exchange of ideas, thoughts and feelings is crucial to building self-esteem,” says Richard E. Bavaria, Ph.D. and senior vice president of education outreach for Sylvan Learning. The more positive a child’s self-esteem, the more successful he or she will be at dealing with life. Confident children will try harder, be happier and have greater self-respect.

For the first 5-6 years, parents are the most important influences in a child’s life. When children begin school, teachers and friends begin to play a role. When a child reaches adolescence, peer groups begin playing a more significant role in guiding a child’s self-esteem. The more positive a child’s self-esteem is before adolescence, the easier it will be for him or her to resist negative peer group pressures. Children who constantly put themselves down have low self-esteem. Children who face new experiences with confidence and positive expectations, and shrug off disappointments with an “it will be better next time” attitude, have high self-esteem.

Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of in-center and live, online tutoring at home to students of all ages and skill levels, offers the following communication tips to help build or restore your children’s self-esteem this summer:

• Have easy-going conversations on topics that are of interest to your children.
  
• Ask questions that require in-depth responses.
  
• Be optimistic.
  
• Encourage children to express their true feelings.
  
• Listen to how your children feel without making judgments about those feelings.
  
• Be patient.

Positive self-esteem not only helps students in the classroom, but also contributes to success later in life. Self-esteem must be established at an early age and strengthened throughout every child’s life.

To build positive self-esteem, parents must strive to:

• Inspire their children to set goals.
  
• Help their children identify obstacles to success and develop ways to overcome them.
  
• Remind their children to think positive thoughts.
  
• Praise their children everyday.
  
• Everyday, say “I love you” and mean it.
  
• Allow their children to be free to succeed and to make mistakes.
  
• Compliment their children and don’t compare them to other siblings.
  
• Make time to talk to their children every day.

In today’s society, there is a definite demand on students to succeed, and positive self-esteem is crucial. It may be beneficial to send your child to a supplemental education provider that reinforces positive self-esteem. Sylvan Learning has inspired more than two million students to learn the skills, habits and attitudes needed for lifelong success. Sylvan also helps bolster self-esteem by focusing on strategies for success and providing consistent positive reinforcement to demonstrate that learning is its own reward.

To learn more about how Sylvan Learning can motivate your child, visit www.SylvanLearning.com or all 1-800-228-3413.