A complete program for developing self-esteem in young children. The development of self-esteem has been a primary topic in the past, is now in the present, and will be in the future because it is a recognized fact that self-esteem is the foundation needed for the development of beneficial life skills.

The Self-Esteem Garden includes 10 lessons based on 12 premises vital to the evolution of positive self-esteem. Each lesson has:

An overview which gives the facilitator a complete description of what the children will gain from the presentation.

Pre-Presentation Information, an in-service like presentation which explains the premises covered in the lesson and a detailed explanation of each as they relate to self-esteem.

A step-by-step description of the lesson’s presentation to the children.

The program relates everything to a garden and each child completes an individual booklet which is added to each session. The Self-Esteem Garden analogy shows readers that:

Good Soil is important to the growth of a garden as positive and supportive people are important to children’s growth

Garden Tools are necessary to cultivate a garden as behavioral, cognitive, verbal, and emotional skills are necessary for children’s growth

Flowers are a positive result of a good garden, and positive qualities, attributes and skills are a positive result of good self-esteem

Fences are necessary to keep a garden safe from predators, and boundaries are necessary to protect children’s self-esteem and keep them from becoming emotionally detached, aggressive, or withdrawn

Weeds must be removed from a garden because they damage the garden, and negative thoughts must be removed from the child’s thinking because they damage the child’s perception of his/her self-esteem

Gardeners are the caretakers of a garden as children are the caretakers of their self-esteem

This motivating, all-inclusive program will give you the tools you need to help children develop positive self-esteem, including a pre- and post-program evaluation.

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TOPIC: Self-esteem

INCLUDES: 10 lessons, leader's guide, reproducible student booklet

GRADE LEVELS: 2-5/AGES: 7-11

FOR USE WITH: Individual counseling, small-group counseling, classroom guidance

AUTHORS: Karen Hammond, Dave Deardorff

RECOMMENDED FOR: elementary-school counselors, social workers, youth group leaders

128 pages, paperback, black and white illustrations, 2003

RESEARCH BASED INFORMATION FOR THE SELF-ESTEEM GARDEN

A Research-Based Program For Building Healthy Self-Esteem

The authors have over 37 years of experience in education. During that time they have developed their beliefs about self-esteem from examining numerous authors and researchers. Based on their findings they concluded that healthy self-esteem includes making good choices, dealing with various life situations in healthy ways, they are worthwhile, and their needs and wants are as valid as the needs and wants of others. From this they developed the 12 premises of healthy self-esteem which are presented in this program.

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ASCA STANDARDS FOR THE SELF-ESTEEM GARDEN

PERSONAL/SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Standard A: Students will acquire the knowledge, attitudes and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect self and others.

PS:A1 Acquire Self-Knowledge

PS:A1.1 Develop positive attitudes toward self as a unique and worthy person

PS:A1.2 Identify values, attitudes and beliefs

PS:A1.3 Learn the goal-setting process

PS:A1.4 Understand change is a part of growth

PS:A1.5 Identify and express feelings

PS:A1.6 Distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate behavior

PS:A1.7 Recognize personal boundaries, rights and privacy needs

PS:A1.9 Demonstrate cooperative behavior in groups

PS:A1.10 Identify personal strengths and assets

PS:A2 Acquire Interpersonal Skills

PS:A2.1 Recognize that everyone has rights and responsibilities

PS:A2.2 Respect alternative points of view

PS:A2.3 Recognize, accept, respect and appreciate individual differences

PS:A2.6 Use effective communications skills

PS:A2.7 Know that communication involves speaking, listening and nonverbal behavior

Standard B: Students will make decisions, set goals and take necessary action to achieve goals.

PS:B1 Self-Knowledge Application

PS:B1.1 Use a decision-making and problem-solving model

PS:B1.2 Understand consequences of decisions and choices

PS:B1.4 Develop effective coping skills for dealing with problems

PS:B1.5 Demonstrate when, where and how to seek help for solving problems and making decisions

PS:B1.11 Use persistence and perseverance in acquiring knowledge and skills

Standard C: Students will understand safety and survival skills.

PS:C1 Acquire Personal Safety Skills

PS:C1.5 Differentiate between situations requiring peer support and situations requiring adult professional help

PS:C1.11 Learn coping skills for managing life events

American School Counselor Association (2004). ASCA National Standards for Students. Alexandria, VA: Copyright 2004 by the American School Counselor Association

THE SELF-ESTEEM GARDEN © 2003 MARCO PRODUCTS, INC. 1443 OLD YORK ROAD, WARMINSTER, PA 18974

THE SELF-ESTEEM GARDEN

Targeted Population: Students with low self-esteem or self-confidence

Program Components: 10 lessons, reproducible workbook, art activity, presentation directions, homework assignments

Applicable For:

ARRA: Improving Student Achievement
Peer Relationships (Peer Relationships)

Title I, Part A: Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies
Personal and Social Growth (Character EducationPeer Relationships)

Title IV, Part A: Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities
Violence Prevention (Character Education)

Title V, Part A: Innovative Programs
Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Programs (Peer Relationships)