Introduction
The self-system is an individual’s beliefs, values, and attitudes about themselves. It is a powerful tool for understanding how children and adolescents perceive their place in the world around them and their ability to achieve success in school and life. At the core of the self-system are three key concepts: self-esteem, self-concept, and self-efficacy (Fu et al., 2019).
Discussion
Self-esteem is a person’s overall sense of worth and values for themselves formed mostly by early childhood experiences but can also be influenced in adolescence by various external factors, including peers, teachers, and family members. On the other hand, self-concept is one’s view of physical, intellectual, and emotional traits, which involves their perception of themselves and how others perceive one. Lastly, self-efficacy is somebody’s belief in their ability to achieve a certain goal or task. It is mainly based on an entity’s confidence level in their abilities and past successes and failures at similar tasks.
A healthy self-system is essential for student competence and academic performance (Bergin & Bergin, 2019). For example, a student with high self-esteem who believes they can succeed in school is more likely to put in the effort needed to achieve academic success. On the other hand, a student with low self-esteem or a lack of belief in their ability may be less motivated and avoid challenging tasks.
Conclusion
Therefore, parents, teachers, and counselors must foster a healthy self-system in students by providing support and encouragement (Csizér, 2019). Positive reinforcement, recognition for effort and achievement, and clear communication of expectations can help students develop a strong sense of self-worth and belief in their abilities, thus enabling them to reach their potential in all aspects of life, from academics to relationships.
Reference
Bergin, C. C., & Bergin, D. A. (2019). Child and adolescent development in your classroom, chronological approach. Cengage Learning.
Csizér, K. (2019). The L2 motivational self system. The Palgrave Handbook of Motivation for Language Learning, (pp. 71–93). Web.
Fu, W., Tang, W., Xue, E., Li, J., & Shan, C. (2019). The mediation effect of self-esteem on job-burnout and self-efficacy of special education teachers in Western China. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 67(4), 273–282. Web.