Improving Children’s Self-esteem With The Backpack Of Qualities – Being Parents

Improving children’s self-esteem is fundamental for their proper development. To work on this aspect, you can use exercises such as the backpack qualities. In the rest of this article, we explain what it is.

But you must first know that self-esteem is the valuation that one makes of oneself, according to certain subjective qualities. This judgment of oneself depends on lived experiences, on the perception of oneself and that of others. It is therefore important that children, from the first years of their life, feel loved and accepted by their immediate environment.

The backpack of qualities: improving children’s self-esteem

The backpack of qualities consists of reliving different experiences, feelings and thoughts in order to bring out and value all those strengths and weaknesses that one has, with an emphasis on the positive characteristics and qualities. These are the ones that should stay inside this imaginary backpack that accompanies you throughout your life.

The main objective of this exercise is to improve and promote children’s self-esteem. Additionally, this self-reflection activity helps children develop the ability to:

• Self-esteem
• Become aware of themselves

• Recognize their own qualities
• Express their own thoughts and feelings
• Have confidence in them
• Accept yourself as they are

The backpack of qualities: steps to perform the exercise

In order to practice the qualities backpack exercise, you need to follow a series of steps:

1. The child receives a drawing of a backpack and several small blank papers cut out in a circle, to simulate stones.
2. The child must write inside these “stones” his own negative and positive qualities.
3. The qualities are glued on the design of the backpack.
4. Then explain to the child that some of these “stones” must be removed from the backpack because it is too heavy.
5. The child must cross out the negative qualities, those he wants to get rid of.
6. The positive qualities are colored in order to highlight them and give them more importance.

All of these steps are necessary to guide the child through the process of:

• Self-reflection
• Self-awareness
• Self evaluation
• Self-acceptance

That is, in the development and creation of good self-esteem.

The origin of children’s self-esteem

It should not be forgotten that self-esteem has its origin in the social environment in which children interact. And, more precisely, in the links they establish with their relatives (family, friends, teachers, etc.). These have an important influence on the development of low or high self-esteem. Thus, children perceive their qualities according to:

• How others interpret their behavior and conduct.
• The information that others convey about their virtues and faults.
• The way they are treated by others, especially those close to them.

Therefore, taking this into account, it can be concluded that performing the backpack exercise of qualities is not enough to increase the child’s self-esteem. This activity is just a help, but what is really important and necessary is to strengthen and pay attention to the child on a daily basis, making him feel that he is valued and loved.