Jump To:
The years between 10 and 15 are a whirlwind of emotions, friendships, and figuring out who they are. This is where self-awareness comes in – a superpower that helps your child navigate these exciting (and sometimes confusing!) times.
When your child understands their emotions, they can manage them better. This means less meltdowns and more healthy coping mechanisms! Also, knowing their value and what they're good at gives your child a healthy dose of self-esteem that will carry them through thick and thin.
Many of us didn't have these crucial life skills explicitly taught to us. Our parents might not have had the resources or knowledge to focus on them.
The good news is, you can break the cycle! Here at Bloomster.com, we believe every child & parent deserves the opportunity to learn and thrive.
How Parents Can Teach Self-Awareness To Kids
Use our questions and exercises below to assess and find natural ways to boost your child's self-awareness in everyday life.
Questions to ask about self-awareness:
Understanding Emotions:
How can I help my child identify their emotions?
How can I create a safe space for my child to express their feelings?
Building Self-Esteem:
What are some age-appropriate ways to teach my child about positive self-talk?
How can I help my child develop a growth mindset?
Developing Social Skills:
What are some strategies for teaching my child effective communication skills?
How can I encourage my child to build strong, supportive friendships?
Goal Setting and Decision Making:
What are some effective ways to teach my child decision-making skills?
How can I help my child break down big goals into smaller, manageable steps?
Practicing Self-Care:
What are some simple mindfulness activities I can do with my child?
What are some strategies for reducing stress and anxiety in children?
Get A PDF Copy of These Questions & Exercises
Exercises to improve Self-Awareness:
Emotion Charades:
Take turns acting out different emotions without speaking and the other person tries to guess the emotion.
Discuss how different emotions feel physically and emotionally.
Strengths and Weaknesses Worksheet:
Create a worksheet with two columns: "Strengths" and "Weaknesses" and encourage your child to list them honestly.
Discuss how they can improve their weaknesses and build upon their strengths.
Journaling:
Encourage your child to write about their thoughts and feelings.
Journaling can help them process emotions and gain self-awareness.
Mindful Breathing Exercises:
Guide your child through a simple breathing exercise, focusing on their breath. It helps to find a calm quiet place to do this.
This can help you child calm their mind and become more present.
Future Self Letter:
Have your child write a letter to their future self including their hopes, dreams, and goals.
This exercise can help them visualize their future and set positive intentions.
We recommend working these questions and exercises into your daily routine in small increments where conversation can happen easily. Some examples could be:
In the car on the way to school or sports practice.
While doing chores together.
Or, during dinner time.
Even a few minutes a day makes a huge difference in the long run!
If you have concerns about your child's self-awareness, consider a social-emotional learning program like Bloomster that has been developed and reviewed by a team of licensed teachers, PhDs, clinical practitioners, and psychologists that specialize in childhood development.
Exploring You: A Journey to Self-Awareness
Course Overview
- Recognize and manage emotions, thoughts, and behaviors to foster emotional intelligence and mental well-being.
- Develop self-awareness by understanding personal values, beliefs, and how they influence decision-making.
- Learn to set healthy boundaries and practice assertive communication to maintain emotional and social well-being.
- Build resilience by developing coping strategies and self-acceptance, embracing imperfections as part of personal growth.
- Enhance self-reflection skills to cultivate positive self-talk, goal setting, and long-term personal development.
Meet the Course Creator,
Dr. Kymberli Barker
Dr. Barker is the single mother of two fantastic young men, and they are her priority in life. She holds degrees in biochemistry, math, forensics, and psychology. She is a consultant and a professor at multiple colleges, teaching with the Citadel, and Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, in psychology, criminal justice, and neuroscience and providing international educator training. Her psychology specializations are police, the US Military, and first responders. Her personal focus is child advocacy. She developed the Guardian ad Litem/(GAL)/CASA program for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and is tribally and state sworn as a GAL. She lives at the beach with her newly adopted puppy and they both love playing in the water. Her favorite thing is being a mom.
Sign Up For Our Twice Monthly Newsletter
Ready to take the next step to introducing holistic education into your families life? Bloomster's free newsletter is packed full of helpful resources for parents.
We help you add holistic education to your busy life in practical and easy ways. Join today and let us guide you into a happier and healthier family.
Why Holistic Education Matters
Today's world is hard on parents. Especially parents of adolescents. Currently, schools are not teaching these vital skills, let alone making them a priority.
If you feel like you don't have enough time to teach your child all the skills they need to become capable adults - you have found the solution.
If you want your child to be a better problem-solver, more independent, responsible, a better communicator, or to improve their attitude and mindset - holistic education is the answer.
Studies have consistently shown that children who receive holistic education go on to become more well-rounded adults who are less stressed, have healthier relationships, more successful careers, and happier lives.