I'm Best

It is always a challenge to find the right balance, between helping a child feel good about him or herself and having him or her feel better than others. Two books that broach this topic are I’m the Best by Lucy Cousins and I’m Number One by Michael Rosen and Bob Graham. While both books send the same message, I‘m the Best is less wordy and more to the point. We all want children to feel good out themselves, but not at the expense of others. It seems there is always one child in a class who feels a little too empowered or becomes a little too bossy. Point out to the bossy child that you like that they share their ideas and organize play, but that they also need to listen to others ideas. Plan some cooperative games and place some cooperative toys in the classroom. You could have children make cooperative pictures or draw each other with child. Try having the children give each other compliments and make books about all the good things about every child in the room. Having a class full of children with positive self-esteem is something I wish for all of us.