Self-Esteem Games for Children

Plummer, a speech and language therapist and image work practitioner in the UK, provides a handbook for building and maintaining self-esteem in children ages five to 11. The handbook, aimed at teachers and parents, consists of about 80 non-competitive games to supplement other strategies in an integrated approach. The games, which can be played in schools and fit with learning objectives, involve warm-ups and ice- breakers and the seven foundations of healthy self-esteem: self knowledge, acceptance, reliance, expression, confidence, awareness and self and others. Each section begins with and overview of the process or element explores. Games are marked by age appropriateness, time, skills and amount of speaking involved. The first section described the theoretical and practical background for understanding self-esteem, using games and working with groups.

Aimed at the age group 5 to 11 year olds this book offers a wealth of fun and easy to learn games chosen to help build and maintain a child's self - esteem. In two parts, the first is some useful indicators on how to use the book, understanding and using games for self-esteem and working with groups. The remaining 75% contains just over 80 games with an introduction to each session. Each game is thoughtfully detailed with tick boxes highlighting the additional key skill used or developed by playing e.g Imagination, listening, trust, empathy, dramatic awareness. Full and comprehensive guides are provided down to how long each game takes, numbers of players, minimum age, amount of speaking needed (or not), adaptation and reflection. Our favourite game is the 'Magic Monkey Dance' the magician is able to cast a spell to make children dance like monkeys (if only, the hours of fun we could have!) - From there on it gets even more fun! This really does cover a broad spectrum of games and is well worth getting.

This practical book offers a wide range of non-competitive games which have been carefully chosen to build and maintain self-esteem in 5 to 11 year olds. The games may be played in groups or within the family. Each game is laid out on one page, which is marked with a set of symbols to indicate age-appropriateness, duration, amount of speaking involved, and list of skills used or developed. In addition there are notes showing how to adapt the game, ideas for reflection and discussion and space for your own notes. This self-esteem toolbox can be used by children of all abilities. It provides a balanced combination of games which are physically active and passive, verbal and non-verbal and for pairs or groups.' Home Education Advisory Service News 'Deborah Plummer is obviously an expert in her subject and I am sure that people with a professional involvement with children would find this book a very valuable resource. I am looking forward to trying them out - I think I will get as much out of it as the other players!

Deborah Plummer's informative guide includes a good selection of easy-to-learn games, that aim to help build and maintain self-esteem in children. The book combines physical and passive, verbal and non-verbal, and pair and group games.

A useful and enjoyable way of promoting good self-esteem among children, and will be useful to both professionals and other carers as well as families.

This book offers an accessible and useful introduction to the adaptable group activities for which the main aim is to build self-esteem in 5-11year old children.

The book contains so many fresh ideas for group therapy; readers will be inspired and well-equipped to promote self-esteem more often in practice. It is excellent value for money.

It can be used as a resource for anyone working with groups of children including speech and language therapists, class teachers, physiotherapists and as part of after-school and holiday club programmes. An equal benefit is the added dimension of the use of carefully chosen games as an effective instrument for supporting the development of self-esteem in children.

Adults are encouraged to use the games mindfully, making sure they are aware of the possible effects exploring sensitive issues with vulnerable children. Ideas for reflection after each activity prompt children to make sense of the feelings generated by the game they have played. The games are simple to play and clearly explained, with symbols indicating the time required and the recommended age. The games range from five to 60 minutes' duration, and mostly require no extra resources, which make them an invaluable resource for any adult who works with children aged 5-12.

This is a clearly written, logically organised, practical handbook. Excellent. Thoroughly recommended.