Health Lesson-Group 2 Family and social health: Peer pressure

1. Health Lesson-Group 2Family and social health:Peer pressure Charmayne Harkins, Haley Moore, and Ashley Ray

2. Self Esteem Struggles • 75% of 8 and 9 year olds said they were happy with their looks. That figure drastically drops to 56% with 12 and 13 year olds. • Nine — the age at which at least half of all girls report having been on a diet.

3. How to help • Watch what you say. Be sure to give verbal rewards to your students not only when they get the answer correct but also when they are putting in effort. • Be a positive role model. Student are what they eat but they are also products of their surroundings. Stay upbeat and positive about yourself and students will mimic your confidence. • Identify and redirect your child's inaccurate beliefs. Never allow students to make inaccurate generalizations like “I’m a bad kid” just because he was called out in class. Tell the student that they are a good student, a good kid, and a good person and explain why you called the student out. • Be spontaneous and affectionate. Letting someone know you care about them is always appropriate so why not tell your students? Every couple of weeks give them a little reward just for being good students. • Give positive, accurate feedback. As adults we sometimes over generalize comments and say things that we do not mean out of sarcasm. (Example: “No you cannot go to the nurse today; you go EVERYDAY!”) These comments can actually make the students have negative thoughts and doubts about themselves and their behavior- even if that was not the intension of the teacher. • Create a safe, loving environment. The more comfortable a child feels the more confident your student will be.

4. Bullying at this age? • Many think that only high school students have to deal with being bullied but the truth is that 10% of all students are bullied on a regular basis. • It is important for teachers at all levels to know the basic signs of bullying: • Drop in school performance • Signs of abuse like bruising or scraps • Shows signs of depression or may be withdrawn • Talks about another student fearfully

5. How to Help • The number one goal for a teacher is to listen and be accepting of what is going on • Help the student learn how to avoid students that may be bothering them • Move their desks • Never place them in the same group • Teach the child how to tell the other students to stay away • Encourage the student to find friends that are loyal and dependable • There is safety in numbers

6. Students need friends • Having friends: • Helps students to develop socially and emotionally • Encourages student view of how society works • Develops their understanding of our social class system • Helps them learn how to work out problems • Allows an outlet from the student’s family life • Holds students accountable for advancing their education

7. Helping them make friends • As teachers it should not be our goal to have all of the students be one big happy family • But it should be a goal to have every student have at least one friend they feel comfortable with • Humans are designed as social beings but you may have a student who is more reserved • You can help them by: • Trying to partner them with someone • Referring them to the school counselor • Having more group/ partner based activities

8. References • http://journalbuddies.com/self-esteem/self-esteem-statistics-and-symptoms/ • http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/self_esteem.html# David V. Sheslow • http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/child-bullying.html • http://www.aboutourkids.org/articles/do_kids_need_friends