Nevertheless, they generally agree that parents and other adults who are important to children play a major role in laying a solid foundation for a child's development. During their early years, young children's self-esteem is based largely on their perceptions of how the important adults in their lives judge them. The extent to which children believe they have the characteristics valued by the important adults and peers in their lives figures greatly in the development of self-esteem. Self-esteem is related to children's feelings of belonging to a group and being able to adequately function in their group. Young children are unlikely to have their self-esteem strengthened from excessive praise or flattery.
Children become increasingly sensitive to the evaluations of their peers.
Parents and teachers can help children learn to build healthy relationships with their peers. When children develop stronger ties with their peers in school or around the neighborhood, they may begin to evaluate themselves differently from the way they were taught at home. Parents can help children by being clear about their own values and keeping the lines of communication open about experiences outside the home. Children do not acquire self-esteem at once nor do they always feel good about themselves in every situation. A child may feel self-confident and accepted at home but not around the neighborhood or in a preschool class.