| As children grow and develop, they gradually become | | | | from the way others react to them, treat them and |
| conscious of their:own nameplace in the familyown | | | | value them. |
| homepage, and of growing up. | | | | There is much parents can do to promote a positive |
| Each child forms a mental image of him or herself and | | | | self-image in their children.things that encourage general |
| becomes aware that they are unlike anyone else - | | | | development and a positive self-imagetalking to |
| they begin to form a 'self-image'. They also come to | | | | children in a way that tells them they are valued - |
| understand that they have:physical capabilities and | | | | listening and asking questionsplaying with themspending |
| limitations - they may find that they have a talent for | | | | time with them - watching television together, cooking, |
| sport or they may realise that they are | | | | walking, shopping, etc.providing toys, objects and |
| differently-abled to their peers;intellectual capabilities | | | | experiences that are right for the individual child's level |
| and limitations - for example, they will find that they are | | | | of developmentreading with themencouraging each |
| better in some school subjects than | | | | child to practise new skills - dressing themselves, |
| others;dependence on others - and to realise that | | | | drawing, tying their shoe laces, etc.exploring new |
| others depend on them;a place in their family and | | | | places togethergiving each child opportunities to play |
| wider community - where they 'fit in'. | | | | with other childrengiving them opportunities to be |
| They will also experience both success and failure, | | | | creative. |
| learn how to give and receive love, learn about | | | | Conditions that may hinder development or create a |
| self-discipline, and learn how to be self reliant and | | | | negative self-imagelack of opportunities to play, talk or |
| make decisions for themselves. | | | | explore the environmentlack of parental |
| Much recent research has shown that the most | | | | attentionconstant nagging or bullying from other |
| important way in which children develop a self-image is | | | | peopleabuse of any kindfrequent absence from |
| by relating to others. They take important messages | | | | schoolfrequent illness or a long-term disability. |