Your children have many of the same feelings you had as a child. They can be just as unsure of themselves, just as indecisive, and just as influenced by their friends' opinions as you were at their age. Without a doubt, coping with these feelings is easier if children feel good about themselves. Feeling loved and appreciated can do wonders for children's self-esteem. And it's up to parents and other important people in children's lives to give them that feeling.
Children build self-esteem by dealing with normal life experiences.
For example, while tying your shoes may be an automatic process for you now, learning how to do it is a major accomplishment for young people. By being applauded for these small triumphs, children learn to feel worthwhile and their self-esteem builds. Children with high self-esteem are less likely to succumb to negative peer pressure, such as the pressure to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Studies indicate that children with high self-esteem tend to do better in school. In many other ways, self-esteem helps young people have the confidence to face life's many challenges.