How to rebuild self-esteem in the new school year
By Gail Belsky
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- Quick tip 1Embrace “not yet.”
Embrace “not yet.”It’s hard to stay motivated when you think things can’t change. Reframe the approach to challenges. Instead of thinking “I can’t do this,” think “I can’t do it yet.”
Kids across the United State have experienced a major academic slide since COVID began. But certain student groups have lost ground more than others. That includes kids with learning challenges.
Starting a new school year being behind can be hard for kids who’ve faced setbacks and worked hard to improve. They may feel defeated by further losses and think there’s no reason to keep trying.
If your child has fallen behind, you might feel defeated, too. You may worry that your child won’t easily recover from these setbacks, academically or emotionally.
But there are ways you can help your child regain self-esteem and stay motivated, even with the COVID academic slide.
Dive deeper
Growth mindset and self-esteem
The power of self-advocacy
Strengths that come from challenges
About the author
About the author
Gail Belsky is executive editor at Understood. She has written and edited for major media outlets, specializing in parenting, health, and career content.
