Health & Fitness
Got Daughters...
Did you know self-esteem in girls peaks around age 9?! Anxiety about beauty begins at an early age and can keep girls from not only doing what they love, but also reaching their goals and dreams!
When my daughter was four, we were in her room getting her dressed for
preschool. I asked her what she would like to wear to school and she said "a
dress because I want to be pretty. Madison is so pretty and wears dresses, I
want to be like her."
I have been an independent trainer for the Center
for Humanistic Change for ten years. I have been professionally trained and
have certification to implement life skills programs throughout Lehigh and
Northampton Counties. Communication skills, peace making skills, self-esteem
building skills, character building skills, and bullying prevention programs are
just a few of the programs I implement throughout the areas schools, community
centers, and social groups.
In 2004 I was contracted to do a bullying
prevention program for a school in the area. The grade level shocked
me..kindergarten! Honestly, I could not believe that these precious cherubs
were not only being the target of bullies, but more importantly were also the ones doing the
bullying! "Mean Girls" had taken control of the classroom. Girls were excluded
from the elite pink girl group for not wearing name brand clothes or sneakers,
such as American Eagle and Sketchers. American Girl dolls were the doll of
choice, Our Generation from Target was not an acceptable alternative doll.
Because of the distinct separation between the haves and the have nots, I had to
work with the groups separately and then combine the groups into one in which,
they all worked together to become one class. At the end of the program, the
children learned many valuable lessons.
Self-esteem in girls peaks around age
9! Anxiety about beauty begins at an early age and can keep girls from not only
doing what they love, but also reaching their goals and dreams. For example,
Dove (the soap company, who supports and educates girls on self-esteem) reported
that 70% of girls avoid certain activities because they feel bad about their
looks. Early development of positive self-esteem is crucial and needs to
begin at home with family, friends, and social groups. Girls that develop
positive and strong self-esteem traits will be able to shield themselves from
the never ending "free radicals" from television, print media, and people.
As a mother of a young girl, I am aware of the impact I have on her
self-esteem. I have made it my mission to not only help foster and develop a
positive self-esteem, but also teach her the skills that will help her hold on
to her self worth when confronted by external pressures such as to be popular,
pretty, smart, skinny, liked by boys, and well....to be perfect! My daughter
has Girl Power!
As a result of the increasing number of girls with low
self-esteem, my colleague, Jennifer and I developed Girl Power. Girl Power parties teach
girls self-esteem skills through interactive crafts and activities. In addition,
girls learn to express the power of being a girl through creative self care
activities, such making their own all natural bath and body creations. Girl
Power would be honored to help foster a positive self esteem in your
daughter...