Kids say their self-esteem gets a boost when adults reward their small, everyday achievements. Read what they have to say!
When adults consider what builds kids’ self-esteem, what usually comes to mind are bigger achievements in a child’s life, such as making the basketball team, winning a science contest, or being in a school play.
However, when we spoke with a group of fifth and sixth graders, all of whom have identified learning disabilities, we learned some interesting facts. We asked the kids to talk about things they do, or have done, that they feel really great about. They started off by listing typical school achievements, such as getting good grades, doing well in math, or “acing” a test. It’s no surprise why these accomplishments improve their self-esteem.
Small successes in school
But the kids also told us about smaller, perhaps less noticeable, successes in school. These are successes other kids naturally assume will happen or ones adults might not acknowledge:
- “Finishing a school year so I can relax during the summer.”
- “Making it to the fifth grade because I didn’t think I would.”
- “Getting my homework done on time.”
- “Actually completing a social studies project.”
- “Making a new friend.”
- “Knowing your friends will like you even though you go to special education class.”
We found that kids with learning disabilities don’t take academic or social achievements for granted. Those kinds of accomplishments often don’t come as easily as they do to other kids and, for this reason, makes them a greater cause for celebration. After all, it’s the smaller, “quieter” successes in life that can add up to a lot, especially when it comes to the self-esteem of kids.
Advice to teachers
The fifth and sixth graders also talked about simple acts of fairness and kindness by their teachers. These were actions that would help the self-esteem of any kid but especially one with learning disabilities. For most of us, these actions may seem to be instinctive. However, it’s wise to remind ourselves every now and then, as they can sometimes be forgotten or ignored in the daily life of a classroom:
- “Taking the time to explain things.”
- “Not yelling.”
- “Giving plenty of compliments and ‘put ups’ (opposite of ‘put downs’).”
- “Recognizing kids’ good ideas.”
- “Teaching that everyone’s brain is different and we all learn differently.”
Everyday accomplishments
Finally, the kids talked about things they do at home, after school, or on the weekends that make them feel good about themselves. Such simple, everyday accomplishments help build self-esteem by reinforcing kids’ special talents and interests, and by connecting them to family and friends:
- “Knowing cool skateboard tricks.”
- “Eating dinner with my family.”
- “Taking care of my dog when he’s sick.”
- “Feeding my parakeet.”
- “Building my bike from scratch.”
- “Drawing well.”
- “Being a good singer.”
In the end, the kids we spoke with didn’t necessarily ask for awards or certificates for their successes. Rather, they wanted a simple acknowledgement for all the everyday things they succeed at and do so well — accomplishments other kids might brush off as too easy, or acts adults might not even notice. By recognizing and celebrating such small, everyday successes with kids, parents and teachers can reinforce resilience and self-esteem in immeasurable ways.
FAQs
When you acknowledge their accomplishments, it shows them that their efforts and hard work are recognized and appreciated. This, in turn, builds their confidence and encourages them to set and achieve more goals.
How to celebrate children's achievements? ›
4 fun ways to celebrate success with children
- Display achievements. Displaying work your child is proud of gives them that extra boost. ...
- Family bucket list. A fun way to celebrate your child's success is to spend an afternoon together and create a family bucket list. ...
- Play games. ...
- Note all accomplishments.
When you acknowledge their accomplishments, it shows them that their efforts and hard work are recognized and appreciated. This, in turn, builds their confidence and encourages them to set and achieve more goals.
What are some examples of accomplishments for kids? ›
Everyday accomplishments
- “Knowing cool skateboard tricks.”
- “Eating dinner with my family.”
- “Taking care of my dog when he's sick.”
- “Feeding my parakeet.”
- “Building my bike from scratch.”
- “Drawing well.”
- “Being a good singer.”
The simple practice of recording your progress helps you to appreciate your small wins which in turn boosts your sense of confidence. Why? Any accomplishment, no matter how small, releases the neurotransmitter dopamine which boosts your mood, motivation and attention.
What is a quote about small accomplishments? ›
“Success is a series of small victories.”
“To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.” “Winning doesn't always mean being first. Winning means you're doing better than you've ever done before.” “Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”
What is celebrate small successes? ›
Small wins are our daily achievements and progress toward more extensive accomplishments. Acknowledging and celebrating these small wins can profoundly impact our motivation, confidence, and self-perception. Examples of Small Wins in organizations include: Responding to all emails and clearing your inbox for the day.
Why should you celebrate the little accomplishments? ›
They serve as reminders of the progress we're making, no matter how incremental it may seem. Celebrating small successes acts as positive reinforcement, not just for you but also for your team. It boosts morale and encourages a culture of recognition and appreciation.
How do you acknowledge a great achievement? ›
Just say it. A straightforward, face-to-face "well done" is a simple but effective way to celebrate achievement. A personal email can be sufficient, too, and a handwritten card or note can add a valuable personal touch.
What would you say and do to acknowledge the children's effort and achievement? ›
Describe what they did well—"Your hard work paid off on that math problem!" or "I love how dedicated you were in finishing your art project!" By doing this, you're not just throwing empty words; you're planting seeds of self-worth and capability.
Here are some examples:
- Learned a new language. ...
- Earned a top GPA in a highly technical college program. ...
- Launched a part-time freelance business or consultancy to develop new skills. ...
- Organized an event to raise money for charity. ...
- Earned a new degree or certification while working full-time.
Examples of accomplishment in a Sentence
Her family is proud of all her academic accomplishments. one of the greatest scientific accomplishments of the century We celebrated the accomplishment of all our goals. Her knowledge of foreign languages is among her many accomplishments.
What are 3 most important life accomplishments? ›
- Being able to pursue interesting, high-quality work that has a positive impact. ...
- Securing awards, promotions and other acknowledgements of achievement. ...
- Maintaining a happy and healthy family life as well as a career. ...
- Handling challenge, complexity and change. ...
- Exercising leadership, authority and influence.
Celebrate Small Wins Quotes To Keep You Positive
- If you don't celebrate your wins, how will you ever know that you've achieved success? – ...
- It's hard to beat a person who never gives up. – ...
- Celebrate even small victories. ...
- Small victories are better than none. ...
- Celebrate small wins.
Small wins are anything you accomplish that aligns with your intentions. They can be related to work, personal or professional relationships, habit changes, and/or finances. Small wins can be easy to gloss over, especially if you've been raised on a diet of self-criticism and perfectionism.
What is the purpose of celebrating small accomplishments along the way to goal attainment? ›
Breaking down a big goal into smaller parts also helps to increase focus and productivity which then leads to momentum-building and a sense of accomplishment for the individual. Establishing small wins can also help to keep motivation levels high and prevent burnout.
How do you commemorate an achievement? ›
Nine Ways to Celebrate Achievement
- Just say it. A straightforward, face-to-face "well done" is a simple but effective way to celebrate achievement. ...
- Share success stories. ...
- Pay it forward. ...
- Give a gift. ...
- Get together socially. ...
- Organize a team day out. ...
- Offer extra holiday. ...
- Set up a hall of fame.
The following information gives some ideas on how to make reward systems work successfully for your child. Examples of reward systems: Stars • Favourite cartoon, football and music stickers • Points • Smiley faces • Sweets in a jar • Coloured ball or marbles in a jar.
