Feelings of self worth begin early in a girl's life. These feelings of self worth and self-efficacy work as protective factors throughout her life. Developing positive identity is important for girls to enable them to better overcome the obstacles they will face. This is particularly important for minority girls and also more challenging. These girls live in two worlds and will face discrimination and oppression.

Self-esteem is self-image. It is how one feels about oneself including thoughts and feelings. Self-esteem has a direct effect on the way one lives. It affects how one thinks, acts, and feels. It has a direct impact on the successfulness in achieving life goals. Having high self-esteem enables one to accept challenges, enrich worlds, maintain confidence, and remain flexible in life. The following activities are strategies to help improve the self-esteem and self-confidence in girls.

Activities included in this section:

• Distorted Thinking (Handout)
• "Stinkin' Thinkin" (Activity)
• You Do It (Worksheet - PDF)
• Strategies to Improve Self-Esteem
• Self Image Collage (Activity)
• 6 Pillars of Character (Activity)
• Treasure Beads (Activity)
• Paper Bag Project (Activity)
• Negative Self-Talk (Activity)
• Role Model (Activity - PDF)
• Compliment Circle (Activity)
• My Paper Doll Self (Activity)
• Flower Petal (Activity)
• Quick Writing (Word)
• Feeling Stuck (Word)
• Mobiles (Word)

Additional information may be accessed by logging on to:

www.girlpower.gov
www.search-institute.org