Supporting Carers (SNAICC)

To care for our children

Self Esteem

selfesteem

What is self-esteem?

How does it form personal identity?

 

Self-esteem is when a person likes, believes and feels comfortable with who they are. It is particularly important for children, as it helps to shape and create their personal identity. Self-esteem in children can be encouraged by feeling part of and valued in a family, feeling loved and by nurturing the child’s cultural and family roots. By focusing on children’s individual, family, community and cultural identity carers help to build the child’s self-esteem and confidence. Therefore, as the carer of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child, it is extremely important for you to maintain the connection the child has to their family and culture.

 

 

Self-esteem

Why is self-esteem important for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child?

 

On a general level self-esteem is very important for children as it plays a significant role in their daily interactions with others, friendships, ability to cope with life events and overall confidence. In particular Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children who are in out of home care may ‘be confused or unsure of their personal identity’, therefore it is crucial that the carer encourages a positive relationship to their family and community to ensure preservation of self-esteem. Children who are clear about who they are and can make positive statements about themselves are better equipped to learn positive life-coping skills and are more likely to experience positive emotional and physical well-being.

Culture plays a key role in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children’s development, identity and self-esteem, and in determining the overall well-being needs of the child. The child’s cultural and spiritual development is the role of their family and community, and this is where you, as the carer are in a position to maintain these connections.

Children who are strong in their culture and see that people who are important to them support their culture will be more able to engage in opportunities to achieve their life goals.

 

 

 

ENCOURAGEMENT

Ways to increase and encourage a child’s self-esteem

 

One of the best ways to develop a good rapport and achieve positive outcomes as a carer of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child is to display a positive attitude to their culture. By including the child in cultural activities, helping the child understand their culture and developing relationships with the child’s community, strength and pride in themselves will grow.
Children will gain strength and worth from knowing that they belong to an ancient and proud race. This will also assist connection to be maintained to their birth parents (if possible) and other family members. When s child feels comfortable with their identity, they may also be more ready to feel a part of your family too.

 

 

Some suggestions to explore

Identity and community

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, developing a strong identity
includes developing a strong identity with your community.

Family and community are valuable sources of cultural knowledge and skills, and linking the child with community and participating in events can help children to feel a sense of being and belonging as part of the community.

self_icon-photosPhotos

Display photos and pictures of community members, community land and important historical events within the home

self_icon-celebrationsCelebrations

Celebrate NAIDOC week and National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day

self_icon-relationshipsRelationships

Build a relationship with community members and Elders

self_icon-cultureCulture

Help the child develop an understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural beliefs and practices. This may help you to learn too!

self_icon-communityCommunity

Connect with community members who can share traditional stories and songs with the child

 

 

Identity and Family

Children feel a sense of identity when their families are honored, positively spoken about and still part of the child’s life.

self_icon-familyFamily

Create a family tree with the child

self_icon-photos2Photos

Let the child display or put up any family photos they like

self_icon-originsOrigins

Get to know the child’s family and culture – where is their family from and what is their cultural group?

 

 

Identity and Culture

Try to incorporate culture on a daily, ongoing basis.

self_icon-storiesStories

Share Dreaming Stories with children as a valuable, creative and fun way to talk about culture

self_icon-belongingBelonging

Look around your house and make sure that the environment says ‘if you’re Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander you belong here’

self_icon-musicMusic

Play and make traditional music – using clapsticks, didgeridoos and drums such as warups

self_icon-talkingTalking

Have discussions with children around identity, land, history and what it means to be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, and from their particular culture

 

 

Identity, Nature and Tradition

Connecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to nature and traditional uses of the land helps them to develop a sense of identity and connection to the land.

self_icon-environmentEnvironment

Reflect the natural environment within the home, by including native plants from the local area

self_icon-parkNature Park

Visit your local nature park to teach children about hunting, bush foods, stories and traditions

self_icon-walksWalks

Go on nature walks to collect bush tucker, bush materials and to build shelters

self_icon-cookCook

If possible, create an area in your outdoor play space where the child can cook traditional foods like kangaroo tails and have campfires

 

 

Culture and Language

Learning and maintaining traditional language supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to develop a strong identity and effective communication skills.

self_icon-community2Community

Keep the child linked in with community and
elders so that language can be taught

self_icon-languageLanguage

Read books and sing songs in language

 

 

Encourage Friendships

Children who are loners tend to be more vulnerable to bullies.
Start early to help children develop friendships and social skills.

If a child has a problem fitting in, encourage the child to seek out other children who are alone a lot. It’s easier to participate in unstructured activities such as playing on swings at the park than it is to join an organized sport such as football or basketball. Teach children to express themselves clearly. Help children learn and use ‘I’ statements. For example, “I feel angry when you use those words”. This form of expression works for two reasons: first, it’s indisputable and second, it is non-judgmental. After all it is about how they feel. Take action – don’t ignore racism or bullying against any child.
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Resources

Links to further readings and resources

Yarn Strong Sista- Indigenous cultural and educational packs

Website Link

SNAICC- “Talking up our Strengths” cards

Available for purchase from SNAICC resource shop
Website Link

SNAICC- Culture keeps us Strong (A book by the Marree Aboriginal School).

Available for purchase from SNAICC resource shop
Website Link

SNAICC Learning Games® – Activities for Early Learners – SNAICC and PRC, and TS (USA)

Available for purchase on SNAICC website
Website Link

SNAICC- Working and Walking Together (2010)

Download Link

SNAICC- Your own Strengths card designing

Download Link

SNAICC- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Needs

Download Link

SNAICC- Early Years Learning Frameworks Factsheets (2012).

Download Link

  • Looking After Yourself
  • Right of the Child
  • Connecting to Culture
    • family matters support
  • Caring for Kids
  • Social and Emotional Wellbeing

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