Confidence
March Character Trait of the Month
Confidence
The character trait of the month is "Confidence." We have defined confidence as "feeling sure about yourself and your abilities." This month students will participate in community meetings, mystery readers and social-emotional learning blocks in their classrooms where they will identify what confidence is and how to build self-esteem. Families are invited to participate in and engage in building confidence with your children at home. Please feel free to use the books and videos included below!
How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath & Mary Reckmeyer
In this story, the main character learns a valuable bucket filling metaphor and watches it come to life as the day unfolds. Every moment matters. Each of us has an invisible bucket. When our bucket is full, we feel great!
I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont
In this story using rhymes and beautiful illustrations, the reader learns to celebrate self-acceptance and self-love. The text uses high energy and imagination to encourage us all to have the self-esteem to appreciate everything about ourselves, inside and out.
Remarkably You by Pat Zietlow Miller
This book is written as a manifesto of all the things that make us who we are. The book works to promote the reader to know that all the parts of us that make us unique are what is special and we shouldn't strive to be just like everyone else.
A Little Spot of Confidence by Diane Alber
The book uses an orange spot to help the reader visualize how their own confidence can grow or shrink. It's an important lesson to know our confidence can change and how it happens to everyone.
Crown: An Ode to The Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes
This story pays tribute to the power of a new haircut for someones self-esteem. The book poetically shows the excitement of connecting with your community while also appreciating an experience that builds your own confidence.
Beautiful, Wonderful, Strong Like ME! by Hannah Carmona Dias
In this book, the main character Lilly knows that she does not look like her friends and others have noticed. Through playful, lyrical lines, Lilly speaks up for every child who has been asked "Who are you?" in celebration of self-love and acceptance.
The World Needs More Purple People by Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart
This story works to have the reader become a purple person by embracing what makes us each unique. While we are all unique, we can also build our confidence by finding common ground with others.
After the Fall by Dan Santat
An epilogue to the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty, this story teaches the reader to summon confidence to try again after failure and to have the courage to face their fears.
Questions for Picture Books About Confidence
- Why do you think [character] had low/high self-esteem?
- What actions did [character] take because of their low/high self-confidence?
- How did [character] feel when they compared themselves to others?
- Could [character] change their self-esteem? How?
- How do you think [character] overcame their challenges and increased their confidence?
- What lesson did [character] learn? Do you think they now have higher self-esteem?
- What do you think [character] learnt about themselves by the end of the book? How do you think they will use this knowledge?
- Why do you think [character] fears trying something new?
- What can [character] learn from their mistake? How does this improve confidence?
Confidence Videos
Wellbeing For Children: Confidence And Self-Esteem
Sesame Street: Confidence (Word on the Street Podcast)
3 tips to boost your confidence - TED-Ed