Celebrating me!
Here's What To Do
Start by holding up a small mirror. Encourage your child to look at themselves.! “What do you notice about your face? Tell me about your hair, eyes, or smile!”
Next show a photo of a family member or friend. Ask, “What do you notice about them? Do they have curly hair like you? What color are their eyes?”
Point out similarities and differences in a positive way. For example, “You and Grandpa both have brown eyes, but Grandpa has glasses. Isn’t that cool?”
Think about or look at pictures of people outside of your family, too, and keep the observations flowing – yes, your best friend Eric has curly hair too!
Put PEER Into Action
Pause:
- Put away all distractions, sit together quietly and give your child a warm smile.
Engage:
- “Let’s look at your eyes. What color are they? Are they the same color or different from your sister’s?”
- “What’s about your best friend Eric? Which of his features are similar to yours? Which are different?”
Encourage:
- “You’re so good at noticing details! I love how you’re paying attention to all the little things.”
- “It’s okay if you need to think for a moment—you’re learning and growing every time you try!”
Reflect:
- “What did you learn about yourself today?”
Not quite ready?
Simplify by focusing on one or two features at a time, like eye or hair color.
Ready for more?
Expand the conversation to include non-physical traits. For example, “You have a big smile, and you’re also so kind to your friends. What else do you think makes you special?”
As your child masters this skill...
Your child will confidently describe themselves and others, fostering self-awareness.