There are six separate features that are the building blocks of a positive self-concept. They are uniqueness, affection, belongingness, usefulness, competence, and influence. (RM)

Considers reasons gifted girls fail to reach their potential, pointing to extraordinarily good social adjustment as a factor in their tendency to underplay their talents and lose sight of their academic goals. Suggests ways in which teachers, parents, and counselors can provide guidance for gifted girls at particular education levels. (DMM)

For more than a quarter of a century self-esteem increasingly has been viewed as the magic key to success and happiness. Earned self-esteem is based on learning to tolerate frustration and delay, to care for others, to work hard, and to persevere in the face of obstacles. These tasks of developing relationships and competencies enable one to…

Argues that observations and an analysis of 245 letters written by elementary school students support the idea that writers and learners do know how to promote their own self-development. (JL)

This document investigates the attitudes of successful individuals, citing the achievement of established goals as the criteria for success. After offering various definitions of success, the paper focuses on the importance of self-esteem to success and considers ways by which the self-esteem of students can be improved. Theories of human behavior…

Investigated whether activities such as theater games, role playing, and dramatic play would increase college students' self-confidence, self-worth, spontaneity, and ability to relate with others. Found that these activities increased self-confidence and spontaneity. Concluded that creative dramatic courses can help students discover or develop…

Advises educators to become role models for the characteristics of mental health in everyday interaction with students and to create an environment where mental health characteristics can be openly discussed, practiced, and acknowledged in daily behavior. (MLF)

This book is intended to motivate persons working in the human and social service occupations toward fuller personal development as well as to improve professional competence. The first part discusses the process of becoming a more fully functioning person. Human potential, barriers to personal growth, self-fulfillment, and seeking pathways to…

Describes interviews with high school teachers and students from New Hampshire, Illinois, and Georgia in which the author asked teachers and students to define the term "character" as part of an investigation into the moral lives of children. (MD)

Activities designed to increase deaf students' self-esteem and positive attitudes toward their deafness included a bulletin board displaying the different things deaf children and adults could do; and a trip to see actors from the National Theater of the Deaf. (CB)

Dropping out of school may be laden with devastating personal and societal consequences. Actual and potential high school dropouts often face many problems in their lives, other than academic dissatisfaction. Low self-esteem may frequently be the source and result of these difficulties. This project, therefore, was intended to develop a manual for…

The "Research in Practice Series" is published four times each year by Early Childhood Australia. The series aims to provide practical, easy to read, up-to-date information and support to a growing national readership of early childhood workers. The books bring together the best information available on wide-ranging topics and are an…

This book offers teachers and group leaders over 100 activities, cartoons, and quotations to enhance children's self-concept. The activities are divided into seven section: (1) Getting Started; (2) My Strengths; (3) Who Am I?; (4) Accepting My Body; (5) Where Am I Going?; (6) The Language of Self; and (7) Relationships with Others. Part one offers…

This manual was prepared for use by adult education teachers in facilitating a self-directed learning (SDL) group for students based on the modules described in the manual. The SDL group involves 10 sessions with specific objectives and activities for each session. Following an introduction, the manual is organized in five additional sections. The…

This curriculum guide, which was designed for an exploration/orientation course in home economics aimed at empowering students to make responsible decisions and choices in an ever-changing informational society, contains the following materials: a course description, course objectives, background information for instructors, an abbreviated course…