Helping Children to Build Self-Esteem

Deborah M. Plummer has over 30 years' experience of facilitating groups and working individually with both children and adults. Formerly a clinical lead therapist working within the NHS, she also has extensive experience as a senior lecturer in aspects of health psychology and counselling. She ran workshops and short courses on the uses of imagery, games and story-telling in the promotion of well-being. Deborah is now retired.

Praise for the second edition:'The layout of the book is well planned. I particularly like:1. the list of recommended children's books (appendix)2. the photcopiable activity sheets3. the guidance on constructive use of the resources when working with children and parentsMy favourite chapter was Chapter 2 - "Understanding Self Esteem'"which provided in depth and useful information. I will definitely be making good use of the information and ideas that I read about in this book…I think the book is an excellent resource that teaches ways of helping every child to build self esteem. I recommend it wholeheartedly to parents, childminders and professional childcare providers.'

• Acknowledgements. Introduction. Part One: Theoretical Background. 1. Imagery, Imagework and the Process of Change. 2. Understanding Self-Esteem. 3. Working within the School Curriculum. 4. The Child with Speech and Language Difficulties. 5. Guidelines for Facilitators. Part Two: Instructions for Self-Esteem Activities. I. Getting Started (STARS and EMERALDS). II. Who Am I? (RUBIES). III. Friends and Feelings (SILVER). IV. Feeling OK About Being Me (GOLD). V. Taking Care of Myself (PEARLS). VI. More Than Just Talking (SAPPHIRES). VII. Solving Problems (RAINBOWS). VIII. Setting Goals (MOONBEAMS). Part Three: Activity Worksheets. I. STARS and EMERALDS (Getting Started). II. RUBIES (Who Am I?). III. SILVER (Friends and Feelings). IV. GOLD (Feeling OK About Being Me). V. PEARLS (Taking Care of Myself). VI. SAPPHIRES (More Than Just Talking). VII. RAINBOWS (Solving Problems). VIII. MOONBEAMS (Setting Goals). Part Four: Working with Parents. Introduction. Session 1. Getting Started. Session 2. Foundation Element: Self-Knowledge. Session 3. Foundation Elements: Self and Others and Self-Awareness. Session 4. Foundation Element: Self-Acceptance. Session 5. Foundation Element: Self-Reliance. Session 6. Foundation Elements: Self-Expression and Self-Confidence. Session 7. Make-believe, Playing Games and Telling Stories. Session 8. Course Review and Goals for the Future. Appendix A: The Iceberg of Low Self-Esteem. Appendix B: Relaxation Script. Appendix C: Instructions for Calm Breathing. Appendix D: Children's Books. Subject Index. Author index. Activities index.