Question

How does the sense of self develop during preschool years? What are some critical variations in how the self is defined and develop? How do children begin to develop a positive self-esteem? Provide examples to support your response.

Answer 1

Aaron is a 5 year preschooler. He is social and has a good reputation among his teachers and among his class mates. He is helpful and has a easy going temperament. Reji is a class mate of Aaron and is of same age. He is shy and is difficult to maintain once irritated. And he often gets irritated over small matters. He doesn't likes his things to be touched by others, even his teachers.

The above are examples of two preschoolers of same age. Aaron has a positive sense of self, he is social and helps others. This makes him to be liked by others. Wheras, Reji is stubborn and has a poor sense of self. He often gets irritated and is difficult to handle.

Children at the age of Aaron and Reji develop sense of self with the attachment pattern that they have with their parents and teachers. Children value themselves if the important adults in their lives value them, love them and care for them. Children evaluate their sense of self with respect to how they are treated by their important adults. If they are rejected, or not valued and loved, they would develop a negative sense of self and would have a low self-esteem. They would be shy, would be stubborn and easily irritated, would not be able to take up other's perception. Hence, a positive attachment with parents and prominent adults is necessary, where they feel secure and loved.