Image Matters

Researchers in Early Childhood Development  say that when you help make children aware of their bodies when they are young, that they will have a better self esteem and won't struggle as much with self image problems. I go to a moms and tots group called Toptots and they teach us so many ways to stimulate our children and help them grow to adjust to the world around them and strive in doing daily activities. I also do a lot of research myself as well as learn every day as I spend time with my two boys. It is important to know that you can start when your children are still babies. It might seem like they are not understanding anything you are doing or saying, but take heart that they are taking in everything and one day all your hard work will pay off- they will one day moo like a cow, and tell you how old they are, sing the Abc song and one day they will have a great self esteem because of how you invested your time and effort into helping to develop your child.  Here are a couple actives for self awareness:

Outline them:

When you start with your baby massage, you can take a minute afterwards to outline your child so that they can be aware of where they are in space. While they are laying on their backs, start with your hands on top of their heads, slowly move down to their face and down the neck to their shoulders, then down and around their arms to their armpits. Then go down their torsos and around their hips and legs,  to their feet. This activity can also be done while changing a nappy. 

Sings Songs:

There are a couple songs you can sing to help them recognize and learn about their different body parts. These are some I sing with my boys: "heads and shoulders, knees and toes," "do the hokey pokey." "Father Abraham had many sons..." "If you're happy and you know it" With this song, you are helping your children to show an emotion like happiness by using their body. 

Bath time:

Bath time is a good time to teach your child about their different body parts. While washing them, tell them which body part you are washing. Let them hear the name, see it and feel it. They are then using three of their senses which helps in the learning process. 

Art:

I have noticed with my eldest son, that when he has made an artwork using his hands or feet, he is the most proud of it! You can make different animals pictures using their handprints and footprints. You can also get self drying clay and make handprints and footprints in them that can last for years. This is also a lovely keepsake and you can do one every year on their birthday to show them how they have grown. 

With older kids, you can take a big piece of cardboard and have them lie down on it. Draw their outline and cut it out and into different body parts. They can colour it in or paint it. Then stick the head up on a wall and have them put their body back together. You can also write the name of the body part on each piece so they can learn to recognize the words.
Reading books about the body and how it works also helps children to draw themselves and other people.

It is also important to know that our children learn about self esteem and good self image from us, their parents. When we have positive self images, then our children will too.